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THE  ALICE  HARRIMAN  COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS  OP 

FINE  BOOKS 

DENNY  BUILDING,  SEATTLE,  WASHINGTON 
Descriptive  Catalog  sent  upon  request 


THE  BRAND 

A  Tale  of  the  Flathead 
Reservation 


By 
THERESE  BRODERICK 

(Tin  Schreiner) 


HW 


1909 
THE   ALICE  HARRIMAN    COMPANY 

SEATTLE,  WASHINGTON 


Copyright,  1909,  by 
THERESE  BRODERICK 

Dramatic  Rights  Reserved 


PRINTERS  AND  BINDERS 

LOWMAN  &  HANFORD  CO. 

SEATTLE 


TABLE  OP  CONTENTS 


Chapter 

I  Bess  Fletcher's  First  Western  Acquaintance      11 

II  The  Golden  Glimpse  21 

III  Henry  West's  Ideal  -  -      28 

IV  The  Hesitating  Lariat  38 
V  The  Motley  Spectators  at  Poison    -  -      43 

VI  HW  Ranch  46 

VII  "I  Would  Have  Done  More  for  an  Injun"        -      53 

VIII  Bess  Learns  the  Real  Cause  of  the  Accident  -      59 

IX  "Helen"  at  the  St.  Ignatius  Mission  65 

X  A  Western  Tragedy  -  76 

XI  The  Miracle  of  Womanhood  87 

XII  An  Indian  in  the  Moonlight  97 

XIII  A  Frantic  Herd  -     105 

XIV  The  First  Visit  of  Dave  Davis  117 
XV  A  Journey  Up  Flathead  Lake  -     130 

XVI  "Mon  Desir"  and  the  Box  of  Roses  137 

XVII  Bess  Fletcher's  New  Gun  and  Its  First  Victim    144 

XVIII  Mauchacho  Wins  the  Race  -    153 

XIX  The  Strength  of  a  Beaded  Belt  166 

XX  The  Camping  Trip  and  "Peter  Pan"  -        -    181 

XXI  The  Trout  Deal  191 

XXII  A  Pseudo  Squaw  198 

XXIII  An  Unusual  Proposal  206 

XXIV  Why  a  Cheek  Blanches  213 

XXV  Berenice  Morton's  Arrival  221 

XXVI  A  Wedding  Day  -     235 

XXVII  "I— am— but— an— Indian"       -        -  244 
XXVIII  A  Winter's  Vigil  250 

XXIX  The  Brand  HW  255 

XXX  "When  You  Can  Forget"          -        -  -        -     268 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Bess     -  Frontispiece 

Sunset  on  Flathead  Lake 211 


To  all  who  know  the  Golden  West, 

And  those  who  fain  would  feel 
Its  charm  and  mystery,  and  test 

Its  worth,  which  is  so  real; 
To  all  who  love  God's  mountains, 

His  vast  expanse  of  plain, 
His  forests,  lakes  and  fountains, 

And  the  secrets  they  contain — 
This  book  is  humbly  given. 

— TIN  SCHREINER. 


THE  BRAND 


CHAPTEE  I 

BESS  FLETCHER'S  FIRST  WESTERN  ACQUAINTANCE 

For  two  days  the  westbound  train  had  hur- 
ried over  the  prairies  as  if  it  understood  the 
heart  of  the  girl  and  strove  to  gratify  her  im- 
patience for  a  glimpse  of  the  mountains.  She  sat 
at  the  ear  window  and  gazed  fascinated  at  the 
scenes  which  were  so  new  and  strange  that  she 
forgot  the  coach  with  its  tired  people — forgot 
even  her  brother,  who  sat  with  his  book,  bored 
and  indifferent  to  the  flying  panorama. 

Her  soul  left  the  plush-covered  seats  and  suit- 
cases to  follow  the  wild  creatures  that  moved  in 
the  gorges  or  climbed  the  wonderful  mountain 
slopes.  She  did  not  hear  the  repeated  "I'm  going 
for  a  smoke,  Bess."  Her  soul  was  without,  her 
eyes  following  a  mysterious,  half-hidden  form. 

"It's  a  deer!  Oh,  Jim,  it's  a  deer!"  she  ex- 
claimed excitedly,  turning  to  her  brother  for  cor- 
roboration.  But  the  flashing  brown  eyes  looked 
into  the  face  of  a  stranger. 

11 


THE    BRAND 


"Oh,  I  beg  pardon/'  she  breathed,  her  cheek 
flushing.  "My  brother  sat  there  only  a  moment 
ago,  and  I  thought  I  was  addressing  him." 

The  stranger  smiled.  "Then  I  infer  that  you 
are  Miss  Fletcher.  I  just  now  saw  Mr.  Fletcher 
going  into  the  smoking  room.  Two  years  ago  I 
had  the  pleasure  of  making  his  acquaintance 
when  he  was  in  the  Flathead  country." 

While  he  was  speaking,  she  noted  what  a 
large  man  he  was,  how  deliberately  he  spoke  and 
in  what  an  unusually  musical  voice.  She  saw 
the  flush  of  health  and  strength  in  his  face,  con- 
trasting so  greatly  to  her  brother's  pale,  emaci- 
ated countenance.  She  wondered  what  color  his 
eyes  were,  but  as  he  looked  at  her  with  fleeting 
glances  she  could  not  tell.  The  thought  flashed 
through  her  mind  that  he  would  be  very  hand- 
some if  only  he  would  open  his  eyes  frankly.  In 
fact,  so  preoccupied  was  she  reading  the  young 
man  that  she  was  scarcely  aware  of  what  he  was 
saying  to  her.  Just  then  she  saw  James  coming. 

"Well,  well,  Mr.  Davis !  I'm  glad  to  meet  you 
once  more."  Fletcher  reached  forth  his  hand  in 
friendly  recognition. 

"Permit  me  to  introduce  my  sister,  whom  I 
am  taking  to  the  Flathead  with  me." 

With  a  nod  the  stranger  explained  how  he 
had  already  had  the  pleasure  of  speaking  with 
Miss  Fletcher. 

"You  are  not  looking  like  the  hale  and  hearty 
cowboy  whom  I  saw  two  years  ago  riding  over 
the  range  on  the  reservation,"  he  continued.  "It 

12 


BE8S>   WESTERN  ACQUAINTANCE 

must  be  the  return  to  civilization  did  not  agree 
with  you." 

"I  was  very  well  until  a  few  months  ago," 
said  Fletcher,  "but  the  worry  and  strain  of  set- 
tling my  father's  affairs  used  me  up  generally, 
and  I  am  now  going  West  to  recuperate.  I  love 
the  Western  life,  with  its  sunshine,  its  out-of- 
doors,  its  fresh  air  and  vast  breathing  space.  I 
wouldn't  exchange  the  three  summers  on  the 
range  for  all  my  life  in  the  city." 

"Do  you  know,  Mr.  Davis,  I  have  become  so 
fascinated  with  tales  of  the  cattle  country  that 
I  feel  almost  as  enthusiastic  as  my  brother,"  said 
Bess,  brushing  the  stray  lock  of  fluffy  brown  hair 
out  of  her  eye.  "Do  you  think,"  she  continued, 
"that  I  shall  love  the  West  as  he  does?" 

"I  hope  so,"  said  Davis,  with  a  swift  glance. 

"I  already  know  what  a  cayuse  is,  and  also 
a  lariat,  though  I  am  not  so  sure  as  regards  a 
teepee;  still,  if  I  remember  correctly,  it  is  some- 
thing good  to  eat." 

Simultaneously  both  gentlemen  burst  forth 
in  hearty  laughter,  and  when  Davis  could  speak 
he  said:  "I  am  afraid,  Miss  Fletcher,  your  ap- 
petite will  be  gone  when  you  see  or  even  smell 
one." 

Bess  wrinkled  her  brow  in  perplexity.  "Oh," 
she  said,  "James  has  told  me  so  many  tales  of 
the  Indians  and  cowboys  and  all,  that  I  scarcely 
know  what  to  believe.  Nevertheless,  it  won't  be 
long  now  before  I  shall  have  solved  a  few  of  the 
mysteries  at  least." 

13 


THE    BRAND 


Davis  began  carefully  to  roll  a  cigarette, 
shaping  it  daintily  with  his  thumb  and  index 
fingers ;  then  poising  it  carefully  between  his  lips, 
he  sought  a  match  in  his  vest  pocket  and  excused 
himself,  hoping  to  meet  them  both  very  often 
during  the  summer.  Bess  watched  him  as  he 
slowly  sauntered  toward  the  end  of  the  car  with 
a  look  of  inquiry. 

"I  think  I  would  like  him  better  if  he  would 
look  directly  at  one.  Who  is  he,  James?  A 
cattleman  or  cowboy,  or  what  is  it  you  called 
them — oh,  yes,  squaw  man?" 

"You'll  have  to  guess  again,  Bess.  He  is 
Dave  Davis,  the  Indian  agent  of  the  Flathead 
Reservation.  He  is  probably  on  his  way  to  the 
sub-agency  at  Ronan." 

She  gave  a  little  sigh  in  answer,  and  asked 
how  long  it  would  be  before  the  train  reached 
Selish. 

"I  fear  you  are  nearly  worn  out,  James.  You 
had  better  lie  down  and  rest.  It  is  now  four 
o'clock,  and  at  five  you  say  we  will  reach  the 
end  of  our  train  journey.  It's  been  rather  long 
and  tedious.  How  far  away  New  York  begins  to 
feel,  doesn't  it?  Oh,  I  wonder  if  I  shall  really 
like  it  away  out  here  in  the  West?" 

James  quietly  settled  down  for  a  nap,  and 
Bess  went  on  with  her  mental  soliloquy.  The 
West !  What  had  she  not  dreamed  of  the  West ! 
Its  wonderful  mountains,  so  great  and  bold,  rock- 
ribbed  and  ancient  as  the  sun,  verdant  with  the 
towering  pines,  and  again,  white  and  softened  by 

14 


BE 8 8'   WESTERN   ACQUAINTANCE 

the  crown  of  winter.  In  fancy  she  had  seen  their 
rugged  sides  caressed  by  crystal  streams,  and  had 
stooped  to  drink  where  deer  had  splashed.  Then 
forth  stretched  the  plain,  far  into  the  blue  hori- 
zon. On  she  dreamed,  till  the  porter  warned  her 
it  was  nearly  time  for  them  to  leave  the  train. 
Hurriedly  awakening  her  brother,  he  hastily 
gathered  together  their  numerous  grips  and 
boxes.  So  busily  engaged  were  her  hands  that 
she  had  to  blow  the  persistent  wisp  of  hair  out 
of  her  eyes. 

"For  pity's  sake,  Bess,  can't  you  pin  that 
bunch  of  hair  up?" 

"It  won't  stay  up,  James.  I  get  so  annoyed 
at  the  old  forelock  that  sometimes  I  feel  like 
pulling  it  out,"  and  all  unconsciously  she  re- 
peated the  motion,  at  which  they  both  laughed. 

"Here  we  are,  dearie,  at  last.  I  wonder  if 
anyone  will  meet  us.  Come,  let  the  porter  help 
you  off  with  a  few  of  those  bird  cages." 

As  they  stepped  from  the  train  she  felt  to 
everything  which  came  within  her  range  of  ob- 
servation like  a  huge  interrogation  point.  She 
glanced  hurriedly  about,  hoping  to  see  Henry 
West,  and  wondering  if  she  would  know  him. 
Just  then  she  saw  Mr.  Davis  lifting  his  hat  to 
her,  both  in  recognition  and  farewell,  as  he 
walked  to  a  man  holding  a  beautiful  saddle  horse. 
The  Indian  agent  glanced  back  at  the  tall,  grace- 
ful girl,  with  her  pretty  traveling  dress  and  hat 
of  brown.  She  could  not  know  that  he  noted  with 

15 


THE   BRAND 


what  an  air  she  walked,  head  and  shoulders  erect, 
chin  up  aggressively,  nor  that  he  thought : 

"Gad!  but  she  is  great!  And  what  a  treat 
after  three  years  of  Indians.  I  shall  certainly  see 
you  often,  Miss  Fletcher." 

"Do  you  see  him  anywhere,  James?"  Bess 
was  all  animation. 

"West?  No,  sister.  We  better  hurry  over 
here  where  there  is  the  best  little  hotel  you  ever 
saw  or  heard  tell  of;  so,  immaculately  clean,  and 
excellent  food — plain,  but  cooked  to  the  queen's 
taste.  That  is,  if  it's  run  by  the  same  party  who 
used  to  be  here.  My  mouth  still  waters  in  recol- 
lection of  some  of  the  good  trout  and  muffins 
which  I  have  had  at  Mrs.  Strong's." 

Nestled  closely  to  the  hillside  was  the  hotel, 
and  as  Bess  was  greeted  by  a  sweet-faced  girl  and 
her  mother  she  wondered  if  all  Western  hospital- 
ity were  as  cordial. 

James  had  ordered  their  trunks  brought  over, 
and  soon  Bess  came  from  her  room  fresh  and 
clean  and  rested,  dressed  in  a  becoming  tan- 
colored  riding  suit  of  corduroy. 

It  was  early  May.  In  the  mountains  the  even- 
ings were  still  cold,  and  a  blazing  fire  crackled  as 
they  sat  down  to  dinner.  It  seemed  to  Bess  that 
she  never  was  so  hungry  in  all  her  life.  Bis- 
cuits never  tasted  so  good  before.  She  saw,  with 
gratification,  that  James  ate  as  he  had  not  in 
weeks. 

"Did  you  ever  feel,  James,  that  you  could  eat 
16 


BE8S'   WESTERN   ACQUAINTANCE 

everything  in  sight?  That's  just  the  way  I  feel 
now,  but  I'll  try  to  leave  enough  for  you,  dear." 

This  brother  and  sister  were  all  the  world  to 
each  other.  The  mother  died  while  Bess  was  still 
young,  and  most  of  her  life  had  been  spent  in  the 
convent  school.  During  her  summer  vacation 
she  was  often  with  her  father  and  brother  in  New 
York.  The  past  year  and  a  half,  since  the  death 
of  their  father,  Bess  and  James  had  been  to- 
gether constantly.  He  had  hoped  to  carry  on  his 
father's  law  business,  but  a  severe  illness  necessi- 
tated his  leaving  the  city,  and  so  he  gladly  ac- 
cepted the  offer  of  Henry  West  to  come  to  his 
ranch  and  assume  the  foremanship. 

James  and  Henry  West  had  been  in  school  at 
Harvard  together,  and  later  both  began  the  study 
of  law.  The  close  association  of  years  caused  the 
insoluble  bond  of  friendship  between  them. 

Colin  West,  the  father  of  Henry,  was  a 
Scotchman,  of  education,  tact  and  good  judg- 
ment ;  a  man  respected  by  everyone  with  whom  he 
came  in  contact,  Fate  or  fortune  had  placed  him 
in  the  West  while  still  a  young  man.  His  wife 
was  half  Indian  blood,  and  yet  one  of  the  most 
refined  and  intellectual  of  women.  Her  son  was 
proving  himself  an  able  manager  of  the  vast 
herds  of  cattle  and  buffalo  which  Colin  West  had 
accumulated,  and  since  his  death  four  years  ago 
Henry  had  had  the  entire  management  of  the 
ranch. 

Here  James  spent  three  long,  delightful  sum- 
mers. Here  he  learned  to  ride  and  "rope"  like 

17 


THE   BRAND 


any  of  the  cowboys  on  the  range.  It  was  always 
with  reluctance  that  he  left,  after  the  fall  round- 
up, to  take  up  his  studies  again.  How  glad  he 
was  to  return  now,  in  hopes  of  soon  regaining 
his  health  and  strength.  He  had  hesitated  in 
bringing  his  sister  into  this  new  life,  and  yet  he 
could  not  leave  her  alone  in  New  York. 

She  was  wild  with  delight  when  he  asked  her 
to  come,  for  ever  since  she  had  listened  to  his 
never-ending,  interesting  tales  of  the  West  had 
she  hoped  that  she,  too,  might  come  to  know  its 
lure.  She  loved  out-of-door  life,  and  the  few 
months  of  her  vacation  in- the  city  were  usually 
spent  riding,  so  that  she  had  become  a  very  good 
horsewoman,  and,  best  of  all,  had  grown  to 
strong  and  perfect  womanhood.  She  was  girlish, 
and  her  twenty  years  rested  lightly  on  her  shoul- 
ders. Her  optimistic  and  sunshiny  disposition 
won  for  her  the  love  and  admiration  of  all  her 
friends,  and  even  strangers  smiled  at  her  happy 
face.  As  most  of  her  life  had  been  spent  at  school 
among  sweet-faced  nuns,  she  had  grown  up  un- 
contaminated  by  the  world,  pure-minded  and 
whole-souled.  Her  faith  was  implicit,  and  never 
yet  had  she  had  a  rude  awakening  to  the  fact 
that  all  were  not  true  nor  good,  nor  even  sincere. 

Several  times  she  had  considered  seriously  be- 
coming a  nun  herself,  but  her  love  of  nature,  of 
out-of-doors,  of  friends,  of  her  father  and  brother, 
of  the  world  generally,  made  her  pause.  Then, 
too,  she  knew  her  bright  and  merry  nature  could 
never  endure  the  strict  confines  of  the  cloister 

18 


BE 88'   WESTERN  ACQUAINTANCE 

and  the  shadow  of  the  somber  black  robes.  "No, 
I  cannot,  for  I  am  not  good  enough,"  was  always 
her  mental  decision.  And  now  that  her  father 
was  dead  and  she  and  James  were  alone,  she  had 
put  the  thought  from  her  mind  entirely. 

The  nuns  realized  what  her  work  would  be, 
for  her  talents  in  music  and  painting  were  ex- 
traordinary ;  and  she  also  had  that  gift,  which  few 
possess,  of  making  a  success  of  anything  she 
undertook.  Failure  was  not  in  her  vocabulary, 
and  she  never  used  the  word,  either  mentally  or 
audibly. 

"Why  in  the  world,  Bess,  have  you  put  on 
your  riding  togs?" 

Bess  looked  up  with  surprise  and  replied: 
"Why,  James,  are  we  not  going  horseback  to  the 
HW  Ranch?" 

"We  can't  start  for  the  ranch  tonight.  It  is 
at  least  thirty-five  miles,  and  besides  you  can 
never  ride  so  far,  even  though  Henry  West  should 
bring  saddle  horses.  The  stage  leaves  here  for 
Poison  early  in  the  morning,  and  we  will,  in  all 
probability,  meet  him  there.  Still,  he  wired  he 
would  meet  us  here  at  Selish.  It  is  early  yet,  and 
he  may  come  soon." 

With  a  little  impatient  gesture  of  putting 
back  the  hair  from  her  forehead,  and  with  her 
eyes  sparkling,  half  defiantly  and  half  in  fun, 
Bess  said:  "My  dear,  solicitous  brother,  let  me 
tell  you  a  few  things  right  now.  I  am  here  in 
the  great  West  where  you  have  told  me  there  is 
perfect  and  untrammeled  freedom.  Don't  begin 

19 


THE   BRAND 


using  a  lot  of  don'ts  and  can'ts,  for  I  am  going  to 
ride — 'and  ever  to  ride',  when  and  where  and 
with  whom  my  fancy  dictates ;  I  am  going  to  talk 
with  anyone  who  interests  me,  be  he  white  or 
full-blood  Indian.  I  am  going  to — Oh,  what  am 
I  not  going  to  do! — even  shock  my  dear,  old 
brother,  half  to  death,  every  day — you  dear" — 
She  jumped  from  her  seat  at  the  table  and  after 
flinging  her  arms  around  his  neck,  she  was  out 
of  the  room,  her  merry  laugh  ringing  in  his  ears, 
before  he  had  time  to  remonstrate. 

"My  dear  little  sister,"  he  thought,  "I  pray 
there  may  no  harm  come  to  you,  and  that  your 
frankness  may  not  be  misconstrued  by  those  who 
are  ever  read  if  to  criticise." 


20 


CHAPTER  II 

THE   GOLDEN    GLIMPSE 

Bess  had  donned  her  fluffy  brown  tam-o- 
shanter  and  stood  on  the  veranda.  Shadows  of 
evening  were  silently  gathering  in  the  valley,  and 
yet  she  could  see  that  beyond  the  hill  the  sun 
still  shone.  "That  hill  looks  rather  high,"  she 
said  briskly,  "but  I  do  so  long  to  see  what  lies 
beyond  it.  I  think  I'll  go  up  the  road  and  take 
a  glimpse  before  the  sun  sets.  Brother  won't 
miss  me  and  I'll  only  be  gone  a  minute." 

As  she  walked  she  stooped  to  pick  some  shin- 
ing butter-cups,  and  to  thrust  in  her  hair  waxen 
leaves  of  the  Oregon-grape,  with  its  bright  yel- 
low clusters  of  blossoms.  So  interested  was  she 
in  each  newT  leaf  and  stone  that  the  crest  of  the 
long,  winding  road  had  been  reached  before  she 
was  aware.  Lifting  her  eyes  she  caught  her 
breath,  and  unconsciously  lifted  her  hands  in 
silent  adoration  of  the  glorious  panorama  spread 
out  before  her,  her  first  real  look  at  the  "golden 
West." 

It  was  golden  indeed,  for  the  sun  had  just 
dipped  beyond  the  purple  mountains  and  the 
scene  was  flooded  with  golden  light.  Away, 
away  to  the  North  and  East  and  West  stretched 
the  vast  rolling  valley  of  the  Indian  Reservation, 
the  Little  Bitter  Root  mountains  guarding  it  on 

21 


THE   BRAND 


the  left  and  the  Mission  Range  rising  modestly 
on  the  East.  She  could  see  but  the  faint  purple 
outline  of  the  low  hills  to  the  northward.  Dotted 
here  and  there  were  soft  greens,  of  irrigated 
reaches,  and  trees,  showing  where  the  waters 
flowed  and  at  which  the  grazing  herds  quenched 
their  thirst.  Bess  was  filled  with  awe  at  the 
magnificent  scene,  and  reverently  clasped  her 
hands  and  lifted  her  eyes  as  she  realized  the  im- 
mensity of  it.  When  the  Lord  of  Hosts  should 
upon  the  last  day  assemble  all  the  people  of  the 
earth  together  in  judgment,  what  more  fitting 
place  could  he  choose!  There  he  might  sit  on 
the  crest  of  yonder  mountain,  with  his  host  of 
angels  about  him,  and  below  in  the  expanse  of 
sweeping  prairie,  unmarred  by  the  hand  of  man, 
adorned  only  by  the  divine  touch  of  bountiful 
Providence,  might  convene  all, — the  good  might 
here  find  a  foretaste  of  heaven,  and  the  less  for- 
tunate could  hope  for  mercy  of  which  they  had 
not  dreamed  nor  even  dared  to  hope.  Surely  the 
Creator  of  all  this  beauty  would  condone  the 
faults  of  poor,  frail  humanity  who  had  fallen 
from  grace  in  the  hard  and  bitter  struggle  of 
life. 

So  she  stood,  entranced,  in  the  fading  light  of 
day,  unheeding  the  last  thrilling  notes  of  meadow 
lark,  or  the  balsam-laden  air  wafted  to  her  from 
the  evergreen  slopes  of  the  mountains.  Closing 
her  eyes  in  a  softly  murmured  prayer,  she  stood 
silent  and  motionless,  and  when  she  again  looked 
upon  the  scene  the  gray  ness  of  early  night  had 

22 


THE  GOLDEN  GLIMPSE 


settled  over  all,  softening  every  outline  with 
indistinctness. 

Abruptly  she  turned  to  hurry  back  to  the 
hotel,  when,  in  the  distance,  she  heard  the  clatter 
of  approaching  hoofs.  A  little  alarm  of  fear  and 
loneliness  stirred  in  her  breast  and  she  hurried 
down  the  road.  All  the  bravado  with  which  she 
had  left  her  brother  had  suddenly  deserted  her, 
and  she  could  feel  the  heart-throbs  in  her  throat 
nearly  choking  her.  She  did  not  even  glance  up 
the  road,  although  she  heard  the  hoof -beats  ever 
coming  nearer.  "What  if  it  should  be  Indians!" 
The  thought  filled  her  with  ever  increasing  alarm. 
On  she  sped,  as  rapidly  as  the  gradual  descent 
permitted,  then  she  struck  a  rock,  and  ere  she 
could  regain  her  footing  she  fell  on  her  knees. 
Scarcely  had  the  damp  earth  left  an  imprint  on 
her  skirt  when  she  regained  her  feet,  and  now 
glanced  behind  her. 

.  Silhouetted  against  the  evening  sky,  on  the 
very  crest  of  the  hill,  she  saw,  in  her  momentary 
glance,  a  lone  horseman  leading  a  second  horse. 
The  next  instant  they  had  begun  slowly  to  de- 
scend the  hill. 

Bess,  seeing  a  huge,  flat  boulder  to  the  right 
of  the  road,  stepped  out  upon  it  so  that  she 
could  be  distinctly  seen,  even  tho  it  was  now 
rapidly  growing  dark.  She  looked  up  the  road 
at  the  approaching  trio,  her  face  raised  fearlessly 
and  confidently,  although  her  knees  were  still 
trembling. 

As  the  man  passed  he  courteously  lifted  his 
23 


THE   BRAND 


broad  sombrero,  speaking  at  the  same  time  in  a 
low,  commanding  voice  to  the  horse  he  was  lead- 
ing. "Mauchacho,  I  am  ashamed  of  you!  Did 
you  never  see  a  lady  before?  You  certainly— 

But  his  voice  grew  indistinct  in  the  distance 
and  Bess  did  not  hear  the  end  of  the  chiding  the 
dainty  animal  had  received  for  pricking  up  his 
ears  and  pulling  back  on  the  hackamore. 

"Thank  goodness,  it  was  not  an  Indian  after 
all,"  she  said  aloud,  as  she  hurried  down  to  the 
hotel. 

The  lone  rider  had  already  reached  the  steps, 
and  she  saw  James  heartily  shaking  both  his 
hands.  She  stopped  a  moment  watching  the 
pair  standing  in  the  flood  of  light  which  poured 
out  of  the  open  door- way.  The  stranger  was  tall 
and  straight  as  an  arrow,  even  though  his  shoul- 
ders had  a  tired  droop.  Heavily  fringed  leather 
"chapps"  covered  his  trousers,  a  mackinaw  coat, 
carelessly  fastened  and  a  white  silk  handkerchief 
knotted  loosely  about  his  throat  completed  his 
unpretentious  costume.  She  could  see  that  his 
face  looked  dark  and  swarthy,  but  it  was  lighted 
by  a  smile  of  greeting,  displaying  a  row  of  firm, 
even  teeth. 

"Well,  old  boy,  it  seems  mighty  good  to  see 
you  once  more,  and  to  breathe  this  air  again.  I 
had  just  started  to  find  my  sister,  who  has 
strayed  off  somewhere,  when  I  heard  you  com- 
ing," Bess  heard  her  brother  saying,  "and  I  hope 
I  may  find  her  before  someone  lariats  her  for  a 
maverick  and  sticks  his  brand  on  her." 

24 


THE  GOLDEN  GLIMPSE 


The  stranger  laughed.  "You  have  not  for- 
gotten all  your  Western  jingle,  even  though  you 
have  been  gone  a  year  and  a  half.  I  saw  a  young 
woman  up  the  road  a  way.  Perhaps  she  is  the 
sister  you  are  searching." 

Just  then  James  caught  sight  of  the  girl,  and 
hastily  summoning  her  to  come  forward,  intro- 
duced her  to  his  old  friend  and  comrade,  after 
scolding  her,  half  seriously,  for  staying  away  so 
long  without  telling  him  where  she  was  going. 

Smiling  at  her  brother,  Bess  Fletcher  turned 
to  look  into  one  of  the  strongest  faces  and  the 
most  unfathomable  eyes  she  had  ever  seen.  The 
features  were  unmistakably  Indian,  and  it  was 
hard  to  believe  that  the  man  was  only  a  quarter- 
blood,  as  she  knew.  The  square  chin  and  wide, 
sensitive  mouth,  the  dilated  nostrils  and  promin- 
ent cheek  bones  stamped  the  face  with  char- 
acter, strength  and  determination.  One  could 
see  in  the  gloomy  depths  of  the  eyes  a  strange  in- 
termingling of  sympathy,  with  the  truculent 
gleam  which  had  shone  for  centuries  in  the  eyes 
of  his  ancestors.  They  impressed  one,  that  he 
would  either  be  wholly  white,  or  entirely  Indian, 
according  to  circumstances  or  environment. 

As  Bess  turned  to  acknowledge  the  introduc- 
tion, her  hand,  half  raised,  paused  as  she  meas- 
ured this  man. 

"Mr.  West.  But — but,"  she  added  hesitat- 
ingly, "you  do  not  look  one  bit  as  I— 

West's  lips  parted  in  a  smile  as  he  replied, 
"Had  you  expected  to  see  me  with  a  blanket  on 

25 


THE   BRAND 


and  a  feather  in  my  hair?    I  hope  you  are  not 
greatly  disappointed." 

For  a  moment  she  was  nonplussed.  "Oh,  no ! 
But  you  are  different  somehow,  and  if  there  is 
any  disappointment  it  is  a  happy  one." 

"Thank  you,  Miss  Fletcher,"  came  in  a  low 
and  almost  inaudible  voice. 

James  had  been  listening  with  interest.  "I 
guess  I  had  impressed  her  that  you  looked  more 
like — "  he  floundered  and  ended  tactlessly,  "well, 
like  me,  than  an  Indian,  Henry." 

The  "breed's"  eyes  closed  spasmodically  and 
his  teeth  shut  hard  before  he  replied.  "Jim, 
sometimes  I  feel  that  I  could  willingly  be  skinned 
alive,  if  it  would  make  me — like  you." 

Never  before  in  all  their  relationship  had  this 
outburst  of  confidence  escaped  him;  yet  here  in 
the  presence  of  this  beautiful,  fair  woman,  his 
usual  reticence  and  reserve  for  the  moment  left 
him,  and  the  secret  desire  of  his  heart  and  soul 
escaped  his  lips.  Angry  at  his  loss  of  control,  he 
turned  and  said,  "I  had  entirely  forgotten  the 
horses.  We  came  at  a  pretty  swift  pace  from 
Poison.  I  would  have  reached  here  before  train- 
time,  but  Eagle  got  a  stone  in  his  shoe,  and  I 
had  the  devil's  own  time  getting  it  out.  I  must 
go  and  attend  to  their  beds  and  supper."  With 
this  he  stepped  out  into  the  gloom. 

Bess  had  gone  into  the  house  and  was  stand- 
ing warming  herself  near  the  stove  before  her 
brother  also  entered  and  with  a  shiver  hastened 
to  the  fire. 

26 


THE  GOLDEN  GLIMPSE 


"Oh,  Jim,  isn't  he  just  splendid!"  cried  the 
girl.  "I  had  no  idea  there  were  such  men  as  he 
away  out  here  in  the  West!  No  wonder  you 
rave  over  him  and  always  sing  his  praises." 

"Do  you  know,  Bess,  if  he  were  my  own 
brother  I  could  not  honor  and  love  him  more. 
At  college  he  was  so  superior  in  mind,  ability, 
and  morals  to  the  majority  of  his  colleagues,  that 
every  one  looked  up  to  him.  He  was  one  of  them 
and  no  gathering  was  quite  complete  without 
Henry  West.  I  never  thought  of  him  as  an 
Indian,  and  anyway — that  is  his  greatest  charm. 
Whatever  else  he  may  be,  he  certainly  is  a  gentle- 
man." 

Bess  threw  her  arms  impulsively  about  his 
neck.  Then,  "Good  night,  dearie,  I  am  half 
jealous  of  him  already.  Tell  him  good-night  for 
me.  I  want  to  retire  so  as  to  be  up  for  our  early 
start  in  the  morning.  I  am  tired,  more  tired  than 
I  knew.  Don't  stay  up  late.  You  must  be  worn 
out.  Brother,  I  believe  I  love  this  new,  strange 
land !"  With  a  kiss  she  left  him  and  went  to  her 
room. 

Hastily  undressing,  she  was  soon  ready  for 
bed.  Going  to  the  window  she  put  up  the  shade, 
and  placing  her  hands  between  her  brow  and  the 
window  she  peered  into  the  night.  Her  bosom 
stirred  with  a  tremor  of  excitement  as  she  whis- 
pered, "The  West!  The  mysterious  West!  And 
he — Henry  West."  She  flung  the  window  wide 
open,  and  hastily  getting  into  bed  was  soon 
asleep. 

27 


CHAPTER  III 

HENRY  WEST'S  IDEAL 

The  aromatic  smell  of  coffee  and  bacon  filled 
Bess'  nostrils  as  she  awoke  to  a  glorious  morning. 
At  first  she  looked  about  in  wonderment,  trying 
to  think  where  she  was.  With  the  sudden  realiza- 
tion she  sprang  out  of  the  snug  bed,  and  going  to 
the  open  window,  filled  her  lungs  with  deep 
draughts  of  pure,  mountain  air.  It  did  not  take 
her  many  minutes  to  dress  and  place  her  be- 
longings in  the  trunk,  which  she  fastened  so  it 
would  be  all  ready  and  cause  no  delay.  One  of 
her  habits  was  punctuality,  and  she  never  felt 
that  she  had  a  right  to  infringe  upon  the  time  of 
others  by  keeping  them  waiting.  She  came  down 
stairs,  and  going  into  the  sitting-room  to  see  if 
her  brother  was  there,  was  greeted  by  a  cheery 
"good-morning"  from  Mrs.  Strong. 

"Breakfast  is  nearly  ready,  Miss  Fletcher. 
The  boys  are  out  getting  the  horses  ready  and 
putting  the  trunks  on  the  stage." 

Just  then  they  came  upon  the  porch,  and  Bess 
hastened  forward  with  pleasant  greetings. 
"James,  your  cheeks  are  getting  tanned  already." 
Turning  to  Henry  West,  she  continued,  "You 
are  certainly  good  medicine  to  have  such  a 
marked  effect  upon  my  brother  so  soon." 

"I  have  never  aspired  to  the  dignity  of  the 
28 


HENRY  WEST'S  IDEAL 


Medicine-man,  Miss  Fletcher,  but  with  your  per- 
mission I  shall  certainly  consider  the  matter," 
he  replied  facetiously. 

The  flush  of  shyness  mounted  to  her  cheeks. 
"Really,  Mr.  West,  you — I — I  did  not  mean  it  in 
that  way,"  she  said,  trying  to  cover  her  con- 
fusion. 

He  felt  sorry  for  her  and  assured  her  that  she 
might  say  anything  she  wished  concerning  the 
Indians,  as  neither  his  mother  nor  himself  were 
at  all  sensitive  on  the  subject. 

However,  Bess  was  greatly  relieved  when  just 
then  Mabel  Strong  came  to  announce  breakfast 
Again  their  appetites  seemed  abnormal,  and  the 
rainbow  trout,  caught  not  an  hour  before  in  the 
stream  which  skirted  the  mountains,  together 
with  the  delicious  muffins,  bacon  and  eggs, 
golden-browned  potatoes  and  coffee,  disappeared 
as  if  by  magic. 

Henry  West  ate  sparingly,  and  watched 
James  with  gratification  as  he  enjoyed  his  meal. 
"Jim,  old  boy,"  he  said,  in  his  low,  softly  modu- 
lated voice,  "you'll  be  ready  for  the  June  round- 
up if  you  keep  up  that  clip  at  grub." 

"How  about  me,  Mr.  West?"  asked  Bess,  as 
she  helped  herself  to  the  third  muffin  and  the 
second  egg. 

James  threw  up  his  head  with  a  hearty  laugh. 
"If  you  keep  up  your  'clip7  there  won't  be  a  cayuse 
on  HW  ranch  that  could  carry  you  a  mile." 

They  all  joined  in  the  laugh,  and  then  Henry 
29 


THE   BRAND 


West  asked  if  he  might  be  excused  and  go  fetch 
the  horses. 

"Mr.  West,  why  did  you  bring  two  horses?" 
asked  Bess,  later,  as  she  watched  the  animals 
brought  up  to  the  porch. 

"Why,  I  thought  perhaps  that  James  would 
like  to  ride,  but  I  am  afraid  he  better  not  attempt 
it  just  yet." 

"Oh,  let  me !  Now  James,"  as  he  raised  his 
hand  in  remonstrance,  "you  know  it  doesn't  tire 
me  in  the  least." 

"Yes,  dearie,  but  riding  a  few  hours  on  the 
smooth  pavements  of  New  York  is  entirely  dif- 
ferent from  a  thirty-five  mile  trip  across  an 
Indian  reservation." 

A  look  of  disappointment  clouded  her  face, 
and  Henry  West  hastened  to  speak :  "Mauchacho 
is  perfectly  safe,  and  when  she  gets  tired  we  can 
stop  and  wait  for  the  stage." 

Bess  looked  at  him  with  grateful  eyes  and 
cried  impulsively:  "You  de —  oh,  thank  you, 
Mr.  West,"  correcting  herself  hastily. 

Henry  West  looked  at  her  with  a  sympa- 
thetic glance,  and  had  she  looked  she  might  have 
read  with  what  eloquence  his  eyes  asked  her 
to  speak  that  word — dear. 

James  saw  that  any  further  expostulation 
would  be  useless,  so  he  helped  West  adjust  the 
stirrups. 

Suddenly  the  'breed  looked  at  Bess.  "But 
perhaps  you  use  a  side-saddle,  Miss  Fletcher?  In 

30 


HENRY  WEST'S  IDEAL 


that  case  I  fear  you'll  have  to  be  disappointed, 
and  go  in  the  stage  after  all.'7 

"Oh,  my,  no!"  she  cried  before  the  words 
were  out  of  his  mouth.  "James  taught  me  to  ride 
like  a  boy,  and  besides  I  know  how  a  horse 
should  be  guided  across  the  neck."  Her  chin 
went  up  with  a  saucy  tilt  at  her  superior  knowl- 
edge as  she  went  around  in  front  of  the  horse 
to  "get  acquainted,"  as  she  called  it.  West 
watched  her  as  she  rubbed  her  nose  against  the 
dainty  animal's,  unconscious  of  his  interest. 

"So  your  name  is  Mauchacho?  I  wonder 
what  that  means?  And  you  have  a  forelock 
which  bothers  your  eyes,  the  same  as  mine  does. 
I  wonder  if  you  are  used  to  skirts?" 

West  came  around  where  she  was  standing, 
and  as  if  in  reply  to  the  questions  which  she  had 
been  asking  the  horse,  he  said,  "Mauchacho  was 
my  sister's  horse.  He  has  never  been  used  at 
any  of  the  round-ups.  No  one  has  been  on  his 
back,  excepting  myself,  since — since  Helen — " 
After  a  moment  he  went  on :  "I  named  him 
Mauchacho  because  it  is  the  Indian  word  for 
bird.  He  is  very  swift,  and  in  a  race  always 
takes  the  lead."  He  snapped  his  fingers,  and  the 
horse  lifted  up  his  front  foot  and  daintily  placed 
it  in  his  master's  hand. 

"Shake  hands  with  your  new  mistress  now." 
Then  he  added:  "Take  him.  He  is  yours  to 
keep,  Miss  Fletcher."  Before  Bess  could  recover 
from  her  astonishment  and  embarrassment  he 
added:  "I  notice  that  you  have  the  same  idio- 

31 


THE   BRAND 


syncrasy  that  Mauchacho  has."  Bess  tried  to 
think  if  his  remark  was  a  reflection  on  her  un- 
ruly foretop,  and  was  about  to  ask  him,  when 
he  left  her  and  walked  to  James,  already  seated 
in  the  stage. 

Presently,  when  he  turned,  he  saw  Bess  al- 
ready in  the  saddle  and  adjusting  her  skirts. 
With  a  smile  at  her  independence,  he  swung  into 
his  own  saddle  and  started  up  the  road,  saying: 
"We'll  lead,  as  the  stage  may  be  a  little  slow  and 
the  dust  is  annoying." 

Bess  turned  to  wave  her  hand  and  throw  a 
kiss  in  farewell  to  Mrs.  Strong  and  Mabel,  who 
had  come  out  on  the  porch  to  witness  the  depar- 
ture. With  a  parting  "Don't  get  lonely  nor 
tired,  brother,"  and  a  wave  of  her  handkerchief 
toward  the  stage,  she  urged  Mauchacho  forward 
to  join  Eagle  and  his  rider. 

The  horses  started  steadily  up  the  road  which 
wound  around  the  hillside.  West  had  not  spok- 
en since  she  joined  him,  but  silently  made  notes 
of  her  graceful  seat  in  the  saddle;  how  she  held 
the  reins  firmly,  yet  lightly,  in  her  left  hand; 
how  her  shoulders  were  flung  back ;  how  her  nos- 
trils were  dilating  and  her  chest  was  moving  in 
rhythmic,  full  breathing.  Once,  as  she  breathed 
long  and  deep,  she  cried  out,  "Oh,  it  seems  as  if 
I  never  shall  get  all  this  delicious  air  I  want! 
What  a  glorious  morning!  See,  the  sun  is  only 
just  peeping  over  the  hills!  Oh,  the  lazy  old  fel- 
low! What  time  is  it,  I  wonder?" 

Henry  West  replied  without  first  glancing  at 
32 


HENRY  WESTS  IDEAL 


his  watch,  "It  is  about  half  after  seven,"  but  to 
assure  her  he  opened  his  watch  and  simply  add- 
ed, "Yes." 

"You  stood  there  last  evening,"  he  said,  point- 
ing to  the  flat  boulder  upon  which  Bess  had  stood 
so  tremblingly  in  the  twilight.  "I  felt  that  it 
was  you." 

The  horses  were  breathing  hard  when  they 
reached  the  summit,  and  West  drew  rein  that 
they  might  recover  from  the  exertion. 

"Why  don't  you  wear  spurs?"  inquired  Bess. 
"I  supposed  no  cowboy's  costume  was  ever  com- 
plete without  them." 

"I  do  wear  them  when  I  am  riding  a  cayuse 
and  after  cattle  or  on  the  round-up,"  he  ex- 
plained, "but  Eagle  nor  Mauchacho  nor  my  other 
thoroughbred  doesn't  need  them.  Do  you,  old 
boy?"  he  interrogated,  bending  over  and  giving 
the  beautiful  horse  a  sound  "love-pat"  on  the 
neck. 

Again  Bess  had  become  entranced  at  the  won- 
drous scene  which  lay  before  her,  even  more 
glorious  than  the  one  of  the  night  before.  A  song 
arose  to  her  lips.  As  the  first  few  notes  uncon- 
sciously escaped  her,  and  the  rich,  full  melody 
floated  out  upon  the  morning  air,  she  suddenly 
collected  herself.  "Oh,  I  could  not  help  it,"  she 
apologized. 

Henry  West  looked  at  her  with  pleading  eyes 
as  he  begged  her  to  go  on.  "Please  don't  mind 
me.  Sing  out  the  joy  in  your  heart,"  he  said, 
gently. 

33 


THE   BRAND 


As  side  by  side  the  horses  began  the  stony 
ascent  of  the  opposite  side  of  the  hill,  she  sang, 
at  first  softly,  then  forgetting  all  else  in  the 
world  except  that  she  was  young  and  happy  and 
glad  to  be  alive,  the  music  became  full,  sweet  and 
strong,  and  in  her  rich,  sympathetic  voice  she 
poured  forth  her  heart. 

"The  sun  is  rising  o'er  the  ocean, 

The  smiling  waters  greet  the  day; 
The  joyous  winds  to  dancing  motion 

Wake  the  billows  and  the  spray. 
See  where  the  clouds  roll  up  the  mountains! 

Night  has  her  misty  banner  furled, 
And  springing  from  a  thousand  fountains 

Light  and  joy  o'erflow  the  world!" 

Here  she  paused,  her  heart  too  full  to  go  on. 
Neither  spoke,  and  when  they  had  reached  the 
foot  of  the  hill  and  the  long,  level  stretch  of  road 
lay  before  them,  the  horses  started  into  a  swift 
pace  across  the  plain.  On,  on  they  went,  grad- 
ually slowing  into  a  steady,  swinging  gait.  Both 
horses  were  single-footers,  and  they  moved  along 
without  any  apparent  effort.  How  delightful  it 
was!  How  Bess  enjoyed  every  moment!  The 
brisk  morning  air  painted  her  cheeks  rosily  and 
filled  her  large,  brown  eyes  with  sparkling  ex- 
citement. Occasionally  a  little  cry  of  keenest 
pleasure  escaped  Bess'  lips. 

Henry  West  was  apparently  oblivious  to  all 
about  him;  his  eyes  were  looking  straight  ahead 
and  his  lips  were  closed  firmly,  as  if  with  an  ef- 

34 


HENRY  WEST'S  IDEAL 


fort  to  restrain  his  thoughts.  All  his  life  he  had 
thought  of  the  day  and  dreamed  of  the  time 
when  his  ideal  might  be  by  his  side.  On  his  lone- 
ly rides  across  the  plains  or  hills  in  quest  of  cat- 
tle or  looking  after  his  horses,  his  heart  and 
soul  had  been  filled  with  thoughts  of  Her.  Never 
had  he  found  her  among  the  girls  of  his  own  peo- 
ple. Never  had  he  seen  her  in  all  his  years  at 
school  and  college,  although  many  who  were  fair 
and  sweet  would  gladly  have  accepted  his  atten- 
tions. Always  a  welcome  guest  at  the  homes  of 
his  acquaintances,  entertained  and  feted  until  he 
had  become  surfeited  with  it  all,  his  heart  was 
still  an  empty  void,  and  his  soul  still  longed  for 
her  of  whom  he  dreamed. 

Last  night  she  came!  The  moment  he  heard 
her  voice  he  knew  it!  The  instant  he  saw  her 
eyes,  her  face,  her  hair,  her  form,  he  felt  like 
crying  out  in  his  exquisite  pain  of  unbearable 
joy,  "At  last  you  have  come;  you  for  whom  I 
have  hoped,  longed,  sought,  waited  through  all 
the  ages  of  time!  Oh,  my  love,  my  life!  And 
yet  I  can  not,  dare  not  even  presume  to  touch 
your  hand!  Oh,  the  irony  of  fate!  You  are  so 
fair,  so  white — I,  O  God!  I  am  but  an  Indian! 
They  say  we  know  how  to  hate !  We  know,  too, 
how  to  love;  but  how  much,  how  hopelessly,  I 
never  knew  till  now !  And  yet" —  a  swift  thought 
came — "and  yet — my  mother!  How  I  love  her! 
What  an  honor  to  be  my  mother's  son !" 

Bess  stole  a  shy  glance  at  the  set  face  of  her 
companion  and  wondered  what  he  could  be  pon- 

35 


THE   BRAND 


dering  so  deeply.  He  had  not  spoken  for  a  long 
time,  and  she  half  feared  to  break  the  silence. 
Miles  passed  under  the  horses'  hoofs,  and  yet  he 
was  silent 

Suddenly  he  looked  at  her  with  self-reproach. 
"Pardon  me,  Miss  Fletcher,  but  you  certainly 
must  be  getting  tired."  He  hastily  leaped  from 
his  horse,  throwing  the  reins  over  the  beautiful 
creature's  head. 

Eagle  shook  himself  as  if  glad  to  be  relieved 
of  his  burden.  West  came  to  Bess'  side  and  as- 
sisted her  to  dismount.  He  had  anticipated  that 
her  knees  would  not  sustain  her  weight,  and 
clasped  her  in  his  arms  to  keep  her  from  falling. 
Immediately  the  horses,  with  reins  trailing  on 
the  ground,  began  munching  the  soft  green  grass, 
slowly  picking  here  and  there. 

"Ouch!"  said  Bess,  as  her  feet  touched  the 
earth.  "How  funny  one's  knees  feel  after  riding 
so  far,"  and  she  awkwardly  began  to  move  for- 
ward. 

As  her  soft  hair  brushed  his  face  when  she 
dismounted  West  could  scarcely  refrain  from 
placing  his  hand  upon  the  fluffy  and  wind-tossed 
tresses.  Taking  off  his  mackinaw,  he  spread  it 
on  the  ground,  telling  her  to  be  seated  for  a 
moment,  and  strode  to  the  feeding  horses.  Pres- 
ently he  returned,  and  Bess,  having  risen,  looked 
up  at  him  with  a  bright  smile. 

"Mr.  West,  why  do  the  horses  walk  like  craw- 
fish?" 

He  smiled  at  her  comparison,  and  told  her, 

36 


HENRY  WEST'S  IDEAL 


to  avoid  stepping  on  the  reins  and  the  attendant 
jerk  to  their  mouths. 

"Do  you  think  I  will  soon  be  toughened  like 
you?"  she  asked. 

"Oh,  yes,"  West  replied.  "You  soon  will  be 
able  to  ride  half  a  day,  or  even  more,  without 
becoming  much  fatigued.  At  first  you  must  go 
easy  and  not  ride  too  long  at  a  stretch." 

She  stood  gazing  about  her  at  the  vast  herds 
of  cattle  and  horses  grazing  all  about  the  valley 
and  the  gentle  slopes.  In  front  she  could  see 
the  heavily  willowed  banks  of  a  stream,  and  se- 
cretly rejoiced,  for  she  was  longing  for  a  drink. 

West  was  looking  behind  him  over  the  road 
they  had  just  come.  "Well,  the  stage  is  not 
so  slow  today.  Old  Charley  must  be  pounding 
them  on  the  back." 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE  HESITATING  LARIAT 

Bess  could  discern  in  the  distance  the  stage 
with  its  little,  trailing  cloud  of  dust.  "Please 
let  us  mount  again.  I'm  quite  rested,  and  want 
to  reach  the  stream  before  the  stage  arrives." 

"You  are  thirsty,  Miss  Fletcher?"  he  asked, 
solicitously,  hastening  to  assist  her  to  remount. 

The  horses  started  eagerly  forward,  the  scent 
of  fresh  water  in  their  nostrils. 

"We  are  nearly  half-way  home.  The  bridge 
yonder  is  about  half  the  distance,"  said  West. 

Suddenly  he  was  so  alarmed  by  a  shrill  cry 
from  the  girl  that  he  brought  the  surprised  Eagle 
almost  to  his  haunches  with  a  sudden  stop. 

"Look!"  she  cried,  pointing  to  the  right  of 
her.  Instantly  West  turned  his  horse.  "My 
God !"  he  cried,  starting  Eagle  across  the  rolling 
land.  She  saw  a  horse  throw  his  rider,  and  in  a 
moment  more  drag  him  by  the  foot,  which  in 
some  way  had  become  fastened  in  the  stirrup. 

Bess  tried  in  vain  to  restrain  Mauchacho, 
who  insisted  upon  following  his  companion. 
Scarcely  a  half  mile  intervened,  and  Bess  could 
see  Eagle  speeding  like  a  veritable  bird.  She 
saw  West  swinging  his  lariat  about  his  head  with 
measured  movements.  Suddenly  he  hesitated, 
holding  his  hand  for  the  instant  still — then  with 

38 


THE  HESITATING  LARIAT 

one  more  vigorous  swing  the  rope  shot  out,  hiss- 
ing and  uncoiling  like  a  huge  snake,  and  in  the 
instant  it  caught  the  fleeing  horse  firmly  by  both 
front  feet  and  threw  him  with  a  crash  to  the 
ground.  At  the  same  moment  Eagle  braced 
himself  like  a  rock,  and  West  secured  the  lariat 
about  the  pommel  of  the  saddle.  So  swiftly  had 
it  all  happened  that  Bess  cried  out  in  amazement 
and  wonder. 

West  reached  the  frightened  horse,  now 
struggling  wildly,  in  time  to  save  the  man  from 
being  kicked  to  death.  The  foot  had  been 
wrenched  from  the  stirrup,  and  the  man  lay 
silent  and  motionless  upon  the  ground. 

When  Bess  reached  the  spot  she  sprang  from 
her  horse  and  hastened  forward  to  be  of  assist- 
ance. 

"I  cannot  see  how  anyone  who  knows  a  horse 
could  possibly  have  such  an  accident,"  West  was 
saying,  as  if  to  himself.  "The  horse  surely  could 
not  have  seen  a  'rattler,'  as  it  is  too  early  for 
them ;  and,  besides,  I  have  never  seen  one  down 
on  this  flat.  Looks  to  me  like  confounded  care- 
lessness !" 

"Oh,  is  he  hurt?"  she  inquired,  but  West  had 
mounted  Mauchacho  and  was  speeding  to  the 
stream.  Bess  lifted  the  bruised  and  bleeding 
head  into  her  lap.  As  she  carefully  wiped  the 
dirt  from  the  eyes  and  face  she  discovered  to  her 
surprise  that  it  was  the  same  Mr.  Davis  whom 
she  had  only  met  the  evening  before  on  the  train 
at  Selish. 

39 


THE   BRAND 


"See — look!"  she  exclaimed  excitedly,  as 
West  returned,  his  hat  dripping  with  the  water 
it  contained.  "It  is  Mr.  Davis !" 

Henry  West  nearly  spilled  the  precious 
liquid.  His  eyes  flashed  with  hatred,  and  his 
teeth  clenched  so  hard  that  she  could  scarcely 
hear  his  words.  "You — know — that — that — 
devil!" 

Bess  was  so  confounded  at  the  look  of  enmity 
and  hate  that  she  turned  pale  with  fear. 

The  next  moment,  with  trembling  hands,  she 
was  helping  Henry  West  to  resuscitate  the  un- 
conscious man.  Cool,  dripping  handkerchiefs 
bathed  his  brow  and  temples.  Upon  examining 
the  foot  which  had  caused  so  much  mischief, 
West  saw  that  it  was  swelling  rapidly,  and  soon 
dexterous  fingers  had  unfastened  the  laces  and 
were  tenderly  removing  the  shoe.  All  the  pas- 
sion was  gone  from  his  face,  leaving  it  pale  and 
anxious.  Again  he  hastened  to  the  stream, 
quickly  returning  with  the  hat  filled  with  water. 
How  they  worked,  these  two!  Perspiration 
streamed  from  their  faces  as  they  chafed  his 
arms  and  hands  and  bathed  the  bruised  and  swol- 
len ankle.  Once  they  caught  a  fleeting  twitch 
of  the  eyelids,  and,  encouraged  by  the  knowledge 
that  there  was  still  life,  they  renewed  all  their 
efforts. 

Suddenly  West  put  his  hand  upon  the  man's 
breast,  Bess  thought  to  feel  his  heart  beats,  but 
instantly  she  understood  as  he  drew  a  flask  from 
the  inside  of  the  coat.  West  forced  the  lips  apart 

40 


THE  HESITATING  LARIAT 

and  succeeded  in  pouring  some  of  the  brandy 
into  Davis'  mouth.  The  effect  was  almost  in- 
stantaneous. The  eyelids  fluttered  and  a  groan 
of  torture  escaped  the  lips.  Again  he  relapsed 
into  unconsciousness,  but  for  only  a  few  minutes, 
for  soon  he  opened  his  eyes  and  looked  into  the 
girPs  face.  Then  a  spasm  of  pain  contracted  his 
face  frightfully,  and  even  West  turned  aside  that 
he  might  not  see.  They  gave  him  more  of  the 
brandy,  which  seemed  to  strengthen  the  man, 
and  also  made  the  suffering,  for  the  moment  at 
least,  less  acute.  Not  a  word  had  they  spoken 
since  that  first  moment. 

West  now  watched  for  the  stage,  standing 
near  Mauchacho,  first  releasing  the  horse  which 
he  had  thrown.  With  trailing  reins  the  animal 
now  stood  quietly  beside  Eagle,  who  seemed  to 
be  looking  at  him  with  "horse"  contempt. 

Just  then  the  stage  came  in  sight  from  be- 
hind a  rise,  and  West  swung  upon  Mauchacho, 
hastening  to  hail  it.  Soon  Bess  could  see  the 
men  hurrying  to  where  she  sat  with  her  again 
unconscious  burden.  With  a  strong  blanket  for 
a  stretcher,  four  of  them  carefully  placed  the 
wounded  man  upon  it,  and  bore  him  to  the  stage. 
James  brought  Eagle  and  Davis'  horse,  while 
Bess  walked  behind,  leading  Mauchacho.  Care- 
fully they  placed  Davis  in  the  stage.  James  in- 
sisted that  his  sister  continue  her  journey  in  the 
vehicle  while  he  rode  with  West.  They  stopped 
at  the  bridge  to  water  the  horses,  and  then  pro- 
ceeded slowly  on  their  way. 

41 


THE   BRAND 


Bess  was  doing  everything  in  her  power  to 
alleviate  the  pain  of  the  man,  whose  head  now 
rested  against  her  shoulder.  She  did  not  move, 
and  scarcely  dared  to  breathe,  lest  she  should 
disturb  him.  She  could  feel  the  damp,  cold 
drops  of  perspiration  standing  out  like  beads  on 
the  white  forehead  and  the  bruised  cheek.  So 
great  was  her  sympathy  that  she,  too,  seemed  to 
be  in  the  torture  of  pain.  The  other  occupants 
of  the  stage  watched  her  with  interest  and  appre- 
ciation. 

West  rode  near  to  tell  her  that  James  and  he 
would  hasten  on  and  have  a  more  comfortable 
conveyance  at  Poison  by  which  to  bring  Mr.  Da- 
vis to  the  HW  Ranch. 


42 


CHAPTER  V 

THE  MOTLEY  SPECTATORS  AT  POLSON 

It  was  nearly  one  o'clock  when  the  stage 
reached  Poison,  at  the  foot  of  the  Lake.  As  it 
drove  up  in  front  of  the  hotel  Bess  saw  that 
James  and  Henry  West  had  already  arrived.  A 
curious  and  anxious  crowd  were  gathered  in  the 
road  and  on  the  porch,  each  one  striving  to  get  a 
look  at  the  Indian  Agent,  of  whose  accident  they 
had  already  heard.  It  was  a  motley  crowd;  here 
and  there  were  blanketed  Indians  with  their 
squaws  and  papooses  and  numerous  mangy 
curs ;  in  groups  were  standing  the  lighter  colored 
half-breeds,  some  in  white  men's  clothing,  others 
with  blankets  carelessly  folded  about  them.  Some 
were  fastidious  in  their  beaded  leggings  and 
wide-brimmed  hats,  their  gay-colored  'kerchiefs 
and  shirts,  while  others  were  scarcely  able  to 
hide  their  copper-colored  bodies  with  their 
scanty  possessions,  so  unfortunate  had  they  been 
in  their  last  gambling  game.  Several  white  men 
and  women  could  also  be  seen  intermingling 
with  the  Indians  or  standing  aloof  beside  the 
buildings.  They  were  evidently  passengers  en 
route  across  the  reservation,  or  waiting  to  go  up 
the  Flathead  Lake  and  river  to  Kalispell. 

The  Klondyke  had  been  steamed  up  and  ready 
to  leave  for  more  than  an  hour.  The  passengers 

43 


THE   BRAND 


hurried  to  get  aboard,  the  whistle  blew  and  the 
boat  started  slowly  to  steam  out  into  the  Lake. 

The  while,  Henry  West,  assisted  by  a  number 
of  the  spectators,  was  making  Mr.  Davis  as  com- 
fortable as  he  could  with  numerous  blankets  on 
a  buckboard.  The  men  watched  him  with  in- 
credulity, for  they  all  knew  the  animosity  which 
existed  between  these  two  men.  How  any  man 
could  show  such  consideration  and  feeling  for 
another  who  was  his  mortal  enemy  they  could 
not  understand!  Neither  did  they  know  the 
cause  of  the  hatred.  Some  said  that  Henry  West 
knew  of  some  'crooked  work'  Davis  had  been  car- 
rying on,  yet  he  could  not  say  a  word  while  he 
lived  on  the  reserve  and  was  under  the  authority 
of  the  Indian  Agent.  But  this  was  conjecture. 
No  one  but  Henry  West  and  his  God  knew  the 
circumstances  which  made  him  hate  the  man 
with  all  the  powers  of  his  soul. 

West  had  asked  Mrs.  White,  the  post  trader's 
wife,  if  she  would  kindly  take  care  of  Miss 
Fletcher  until  he  should  be  able  to  return  for 
her.  Bess,  utterly  exhausted,  permitted  herself 
to  be  led  into  the  dark,  cool  sitting-room  of  the 
hotel.  Tenderly  Mrs.  White  unfastened  her 
jacket,  removed  her  fluffy  tarn  and  brushed  back 
the  soft  brown  hair.  "You  poor  dear,"  said  Mrs. 
White  sympathetically. 

Bess  threw  her  aching  arms  about  the  little 
woman's  neck  and  wept  her  tired  heart  out.  Now 
that  it  was  all  over  and  she  could  relax,  nature 

44 


THE  MOTLEY  SPECTATORS 

opened  the  floodgates  of  pent-up  feeling  and  heal- 
ing tears  flowed. 

Mrs.  White,  seeing  that  the  girl  was  physi- 
cally exhausted,  as  well  as  under  a  great  mental 
strain,  led  her  over  to  the  couch.  She  knew  bet- 
ter than  to  speak  to  her  now,  and  held  her  ten- 
derly in  her  arms  till  at  last  only  little  sobs 
escaped  the  girl,  and  soon  her  head  sank  low 
upon  the  broad  shoulders  in  sleep.  Quietly  Mrs. 
White  laid  her  upon  the  couch,  placed  a  cover 
over  her,  and  left  her  to  sleep.  The  woman  came 
into  the  room  every  few  minutes  to  see  if  she 
were  still  asleep,  and  when  at  sundown  Henry 
West  returned  with  the  buckboard  for  her,  Bess 
was  still  sleeping. 

"Do  not  waken  her,  Mrs.  White,"  he  said, 
gently.  "I  will  wait  until  she  has  had  her  sleep 
out." 

Then  he  went  into  another  room,  where  he 
gave  the  little  woman  all  the  details  of  the  Davis 
accident.  His  praise  of  Bess  and  the  assistance 
which  she  gave  was  great  indeed,  and  the  heart 
of  Mrs.  White  went  out  to  the  sleeping  stranger, 
whose  first  experience  of  the  Western  life  had 
been  such  a  trying  one.  They  were  to  become 
the  closest  of  friends,  and  Mrs.  White  already 
felt  an  indescribable  affinity  for  the  girl. 


45 


CHAPTER  VI 
HW  RANCH 

The  drive  through  the  cool  of  the  early  even- 
ing to  the  ranch,  which  lay  only  three  miles  from 
the  trading  post,  fully  awakened  and  refreshed 
Bess.  She  was  longing  to  ask  the  reticent  man 
by  her  side  a  hundred  questions  regarding  the 
injured  one,  but  she  refrained,  intuitively  feel- 
ing that  she  would  be  touching  a  heart-wound. 
The  slight  hesitancy  of  the  lariat,  the  sudden  out- 
burst of  passion,  revealed  to  her  woman's  instinct 
the  secret  hatred  of  Henry  West,  which  all  his 
sympathy  and  tenderness  afterward  could  not 
hide. 

At  last  he  spoke :  "Mother  will  not  have  din- 
ner until  we  return.  You  must  be  nearly  fam- 
ished, for  Mrs.  White  told  me  that  you  had  fallen 
asleep  before  she  could  offer  you  any  refresh- 
ment. I  cannot  tell  you  how  sorry  I  am  that 
you  should  have  experienced  such  an  ordeal. 

Mr.  Da the  Agent,"  he  said,  with  a  marked 

effort  at  composure,  "has  been  made  comfortable, 
and  when  I  left  the  ranch  to  come  after  you, 
mother  said  he  had  fallen  asleep.  My  mother, 
years  ago,  had  a  thorough  course  of  training  in 
professional  nursing,  and  the  knowledge  has 
been  invaluable  to  her.  The  doctors  at  the  agen- 
cy or  at  the  mission  are  so  far  away  that  in 

46 


HW  RANCH 


emergency  cases  she  is  always  sought.  I  sent 
one  of  the  men  after  a  physician,  but  he  can  do 
no  more  than  mother  has  already  done." 

"There  is  my  home,  Miss  Fletcher,"  he  con- 
tinued, as  they  came  in  sight  of  the  ranch.  "How 
I  love  it!  I  hope  you  may  be  contented  and 
happy  as  long  as  it  is  to  be  your  home  and 
James'."  True  hospitality  sounded  in  his  deep 
voice  and  shone  from  his  now  grave  yet  friendly 
eyes. 

"Oh!  Thank  you,  Mr.  West.  Anyone  who 
could  not  find  both  happiness  and  contentment 
amid  all  this  beauty  would  be  very  hard  to  please. 
It  will  be  the  first  real  home  I  have  ever  known — 
nearly  all  my  life  has  been  spent  at  school.  Dear 
me!  I  expect  you  think  I  should  have  unlimited 
knowledge,"  she  added  lightly. 

She  gazed  with  interest  about  her.  There 
stood  the  large,  square,  white  house,  with  its 
wide  porches  and  many  windows,  within  a 
stone's  throw  of  the  deep,  blue  water  of  Flat- 
head  Lake.  Up  the  hill  a  short  distance  from 
the  house  in  a  clump  of  willows  was  a  magnifi- 
cent spring,  whose  cool,  crystal  water  was  made 
to  flow  down  to  the  house  and  into  the  corral. 
Great  barns,  hay  sheds  and  granaries  were  back 
of  the  house,  and  comfortable  poultry  houses 
and  roomy  ice-houses  were  also  to  be  seen.  Even 
a  blacksmith  shop  with  its  glowing  fire  caught 
Bess'  interested  gaze,  and  she  wondered  at  the 
completeness  of  the  ranch  and  marveled  at  the 
brains  that  could  manage  such  a  large  and  var- 

47 


THE   BRAND 


led  establishment.  Quite  near  the  house  stood 
a  teepee,  and  Bess  could  not  repress  a  smile  as 
Henry  West  told  her  what  it  was  and  that  the 
old  Indian  and  his  wife  who  assisted  his  mother 
could  not  be  induced  to  sleep  indoors,  so  pitched 
their  teepee  in  the  yard  for  their  greater  comfort. 

As  West  drove  up  to  the  house  the  door 
opened,  and  Bess  was  soon  clasped  in  the  arms 
of  his  mother.  Happily  he  watched  her  as  she 
welcomed  the  sister  of  his  dearest  and  best 
friend. 

"Mrs.  West,"  said  the  stranger,  "I  cannot  tell 
you  how  happy  I  am  to  know  you.  James  has 
told  me  so  many  dear,  sweet  things  of  you  that 
somehow  it  feels  as  if  you  were  my  own  mother, 
and  I  do  need  a  mother  so,"  added  the  girl,  with 
eyes  that  could  not  hold  back  the  tears. 

"God  bless  you,  my  dear,"  she  heard  a  gentle 
voice  saying.  "I,  too,  need  a  daughter  to  fill  the 
place  made  vacant  nearly  a  year  ago."  She  lift- 
ed the  girl's  face  tenderly  with  both  her  hands, 
and  looking  into  the  clear  eyes  told  her  how 
much  she  seemed  like  the  daughter  who  had  been 
lost. 

"Helen  was  fair,"  she  explained.  "Her  hair 
was  even  lighter  than  yours,  dear ;  she  was  quite 
as  tall  and  about  your  age.  She  was  like  her 
Scotch  father,  while  Henry  looks  like  me." 

Bess  gently  kissed  the  tear-stained  cheek  of 
the  tender  mother,  and  pressed  her  lips  against 
the  soft,  white  hair,  as  together  they  went  into 
the  house.  How  cozy  everything  seemed!  The 

48 


HW  RANCH 


cheerful  fire  in  the  grate,  the  comfortable  chairs 
and  couches,  the  beautiful  pictures  and  rugs, 
gave  everything  a  'homey'  look.  Bess  was  sur- 
prised to  find  such  evidences  of  refinement, 
wealth  and  comfort  here — away  out  in  Montana 
and  on  an  Indian  Reservation!  Her  surprises 
were  not  to  end  here,  however,  for  she  would 
soon  discover  that  many,  many  of  the  families 
scattered  all  over  this  vast  reservation  were 
equally  as  comfortable  and  thrifty. 

Mrs.  West  led  the  way  to  Bess7  room,  and 
telling  her  that  dinner  would  be  ready  in  a  half 
hour,  left  her. 

Little  ejaculations  of  happy  surprises  escaped 
the  girl  as  she  glanced  about  the  room.  Every- 
thing was  creamy  white  and  pale  blue.  The 
large  brass  bed  was  draped  with  soft  blue  and 
white,  the  furniture  was  white,  and  several  com- 
fortable willow  rockers  invited  to  rest.  In  one 
corner  was  a  wide  couch  with  numerous  pretty 
cushions.  A  few  choice  pictures  adorned  the 
walls.  Surely,  the  one  who  displayed  so  much 
taste  in  fitting  up  this  dainty  room  must  have 
been  used  to  refinement!  It  was  so  different 
from  what  she  had  expected  to  find.  James  had 
told  her  of  it  all,  and  yet  she  was  surprised.  She 
surmised  this  had  been  Helen's  room. 

As  she  hurried  about,  getting  on  her  fresh, 
clean  clothes,  she  continued  her  appraisal  of  her 
room.  "I  love  you  already,"  she  kept  saying  to 
herself. 

During  dinner  not  a  word  had  been  said  con- 
49 


THE   BRAND 


cerning  the  patient,  and  Bess  was  interested  in 
hearing  James  and  Henry  discussing  the  affairs 
of  the  ranch — how  the  wheat  was  growing,  what 
a  wonderful  crop  of  hay  was  promised,  the 
oats,  too,  never  stood  so  well  before  at  this  time 
of  year;  the  spring  calves  were  all  getting  along 
fine ;  up  to  date  there  had  been,  as  nearly  as  could 
be  counted,  about  ninety  colts. 

Several  times  the  girl  became  so  engrossed 
in  these  new,  strange  topics  that  she  forgot  her 
meal,  and  Mrs.  West  could  scarcely  refrain  a 
smile  at  her  wide,  wondering  eyes. 

As  Bess'  hostess  arose  from  the  table  she 
said :  "You  must  all  be  worn  out  with  your  ex- 
perience of  today,  and  I  advise  early  hours." 

Henry  came  over  to  his  mother's  side,  and 
kissing  her  gently  on  the  brow,  told  her  that  he 
would  spend  the  night  looking  after  Mr.  Davis. 

But  she  said :  "No,  dear,  you  go  to  bed  and 
rest,  and  when  I  need  you  I  will  call  you."  Fin- 
ally she  persuaded  him  to  consent  to  retire,  af- 
ter he  and  James  had  had  their  smoke. 

Bess'  heart  went  out  to  this  great,  dark  man, 
as  she  saw  his  gentleness.  She  thought  that  any 
man  who  so  reverenced  his  mother  must  be 
worthy  of  greatest  confidence  and  trust. 

"I'll  say  good-night  now,"  she  said,  for  she 
was  glad  to  get  some  rest.  Her  face  and  neck 
were  smarting  from  the  unusual  exposure  to  the 
sun  and  wind,  and  she  was  trying  to  find  some- 
thing with  which  to  alleviate  the  burning  when 
Mrs.  West  tapped  gently  at  her  door. 

50 


HW  RANCH 


"Are  you  asleep,  dear?" 

Bess  quickly  opened  the  door  for  her  to  enter. 
"Mr.  Davis  is  sleeping  again,  so  I  came  to  see 
what  help  I  might  be  to  our  'little  stranger,'  "  she 
said  gently,  and  noticing  that  the  girl  was  suffer- 
ing with  the  sun-burned  tender  face,  hastened  to 
bring  something  to  soothe  her.  "  Let  me  put  this 
on,  dearie.  Why,  you  are  dreadfully  burned !" 

"I  should  have  known  better  than  to  ride  so 
far  with  only  that  tam-o'-shanter  on  my  head," 
said  Bess. 

"You  should  have  a  light,  soft  sombrero,  and 
then  you  will  be  a  regular  'cowboy/  and  we'll  try 
to  find  a  gun  and  spurs,  too,"  laughed  Mrs.  West, 
as  she  gently  bathed  the  flaming  cheeks  and 
brow. 

WThen  she  had  been  tucked  snugly  in  her  bed, 
Mrs.  West  sat  by  her  side,  telling  in  her  modu- 
lated voice  of  her  own  strange  experiences  in  the 
West:  of  her  days  in  school  and  college;  of  her 
teaching  and  her  music;  of  her  home  life  and 
her  children;  opening  little  secret  chambers  in 
her  soul  to  the  girl,  who  was  already  filling  her 
heart.  Bess  listened  in  wonderment  at  all  that 
was  told  so  modestly,  and  then  she  readily  under- 
stood the  source  and  cause  of  the  taste  and  re- 
finement which  she  had  already  observed. 

On  they  chatted,  like  two  school  chums  who 
had  not  seen  each  other  for  years,  until  Mrs. 
West  noticed  the  tired  eyelids  trying  so  hard  to 
stay  open,  and  kissed  Bess  gently  on  the  brow. 
The  girl  aroused  herself  and  said :  "Please,  lit- 

51 


THE   BRAND 


tie  mother,  wait  until  I  pray.  Put  your  arms 
around  me  tight  and  let  me  feel  what  it  means 
to  have  a  mother." 

Together  they  mingled  their  supplications  to 
the  Great  Common  Father,  and  in  the  sight  of 
God  they  were  equal — though  one  pair  of  eyelids 
closed  on  cheeks  fair  as  a  lily  and  tears  wet  the 
face  of  one  so  dark. 


CHAPTER  VII 

"I   WOULD   HAVE  DONE   MORE   FOR  AN   INJUN" 

With  the  twitter  of  birds  outside  and  glorious 
sunshine  streaming  through  the  opened  window, 
Bess  awoke  early,  feeling  that  the  refreshing 
sleep  had  completely  restored  her  energy  and 
light-heartedness.  She  breathed  deeply  of  the 
fresh,  cold  air,  feeling  as  if  she  could  fly  with  the 
birds. 

The  thought  of  helping  with  breakfast 
prompted  her  to  hasten,  and  soon  she  found  the 
kitchen.  An  Indian  woman  was  busily  engaged 
getting  the  meal,  as  Bess  entered,  and  she  in- 
quired of  the  woman  where  Mrs.  West  was.  A 
slight  motion  of  the  hand  upward  was  the  only 
reply,  and  the  woman  silently  moved  out  of  the 
room. 

Bess  did  not  understand,  and  left  the  house 
for  out-of-doors.  At  a  little  distance  stood  Hen- 
ry West.  Bess  ran  toward  him  with  a  cheerful 
"Good  morning!  Are  you  quite  rested,  Mr. 
West?" 

"Oh,  yes,  indeed !  It  takes  more  than  a  day 
like  yesterday  to  tire  me.  But  may  I  ask  how 
you  are  feeling  this  morning?  You  look  well 
and  happy,  surely." 

"I  am,  and  completely  rested,  too;  but  my 
face  still  smarts,"  she  replied,  cautiously  touch- 
ing the  pretty  cheeks. 

53 


THE   BRAND 


"You  will  suffer  a  good  deal  from  the  sun 
and  wind  for  a  while,  then  they  won't  have  any 
ill  effects  at  all." 

"Not  after  I  get  thoroughly  toughened,  you 
mean,"  she  said  with  a  merry  twinkle  in  her 
eye.  "Please,  have  we  time  to  walk  up  there 
to  the  spring,  before  breakfast,  Mr.  West?" 

"Yes,  I  think  so,"  he  replied,  and  led  her  to 
the  willows  bending  gently  over,  as  if  to  hide 
their  treasure.  Here  was  an  immense  trough 
hewn  from  a  log,  where  the  clear,  cold  water 
flowed  through  it,  in  a  great  stream. 

Bess  stooped  to  drink;  when  she  lifted  her 
dripping  face,  Henry  West  could  not  suppress  a 
laugh  at  the  picture  she  made.  Even  her  stray 
locks  had  had  a  bath,  and  her  brown  eyes  were 
alight  like  a  water  nymph's.  His  heart  swelled 
with  increasing  love  for  this  beautiful  girl,  and 
with  the  love  grew  a  most  bitter  anguish  as  he 
realized  more  and  more  how  hopeless  it  all  must 
be.  He  fought  hard  to  stifle  his  tender  passion, 
and  fully  aware  of  the  pain  he  must  bear  to  be 
so  near  her  day  after  day,  to  see  her  so  uncon- 
sciously happy,  to  hear  her  merry  laugh  and  soft, 
tender  voice.  He  could  at  least  seek  solace  away 
across  the  hills,  or  comfort  in  the  company  of 
his  faithful  Eagle,  whose  confiding  ear  had  al- 
ready heard  many  of  his  master's  heartaches. 

His  mother  summoned  them  from  the  house, 
and  Bess,  with  a  girlish  challenge  that  she 
would  reach  there  first,  started  to  run  swiftly 
down  the  gentle  slope  towards  the  house.  Mrs. 

54 


"MORE  FOR  AN  INJUN' 


West  caught  the  rosy,  merry  laughing  girl  in  her 
arms  as  she  said,  "I  am  glad  to  see  you  feeling 
so  well  and  rested  this  morning,  dear." 

"Oh,  I  feel  fine,"  Bess  replied.  "I  want  to 
cry  out — to  shout,"  she  added,  as  she  gave  the 
older  woman  so  vigorous  a  hug  that  it  made  her 
gasp  for  breath. 

"Great  guns!  Bess,  you  better  vent  some  of 
that  superfluous  squeeze  on  some  of  the  rest  of 
us.  See!  Mrs.  West  is  still  struggling  to 
breathe,"  said  James,  as  he  placed  Bess  in  her 
chair  at  the  breakfast  table. 

"Oh,  I'm  so  sorry,  little  Mother !  Did  I  really 
hurt  you?  But  I  just  had  to  squeeze  someone  or 
something;  so  after  this  when  any  of  you  see 
me  coming  with  fire  in  my  eye,  I  give  you  all 
fair  warning.'7  They  laughed  at  her  strenuosity 
and  good  spirits  and  the  coffee  was  served. 

"Bess,  don't  impress  those  people  that  you 
came  from  the  Bowery,"  said  her  brother,  and  all 
through  breakfast  she  tried  to  recall  what  she 
had  said  or  done  that  should  suggest  such  a 
thought  to  James. 

Breakfast  was  nearly  over  when  Mrs.  West 
told  Henry  to  go  up  to  the  sick  man's  room,  as 
Mr.  Davis  had  requested  to  see  him.  Henry 
shot  a  troubled  glance  at  his  mother  and  said, 
"I  would  much  rather  not  go,  mother." 

"I  cannot  understand,  Henry,  why  you  have 
taken  such  a  dislike  to  Mr.  Davis;  he  has  always 
treated  us  with  courtesy  and  many  times  has 
shown  us  marked  consideration.  Surely  you 

55 


THE   BRAND 


cannot  have  forgotten  how  attentive  he  always 
was  to  Helen — " 

"Hush,  Mother!  I  will  go  to  him  at  once. 
No,  I  have  not  forgotten  anything, — and  pray 
you  may  never  understand,"  he  added  in  a  whis- 
per. He  arose  abruptly  from  his  chair  and 
quitted  the  room  before  he  had  finished  speak- 
ing, so  the  last  words  reached  the  ears  of  Bess 
alone. 

She  watched  the  man,  and  thought  of  his 
words  the  day  before  when  she  told  him  that  she 
knew  Mr.  Davis.  As  he  had  not  asked  how  nor 
where  she  had  known  him,  she  thought  perhaps 
James  had  explained. 

Henry  West  knocked  softly  at  the  door  of  Mr. 
Davis'  room  and  entered  at  a  faint  "come  in." 
He  could  not  help  feeling  a  twinge  of  pity  as  he 
saw  the  pallid  brow  and  hands  of  the  helpless 
man,  and  yet  his  very  presence  filled  him  with 
ever  increasing  hatred  and  contempt.  He  put 
his  hand  to  his  throat  as  if  his  collar  were  chok- 
ing him,  as  he  said  in  a  husky  voice :  "You  sent 
for  me,  Mr.  Davis.  Of  what  service  can  I  be  to 
you?" 

He  could  scarcely  catch  the  faint  words  that 
came  from  the  injured  man's  lips,  and  going  near- 
er, bent  over  that  he  might  hear  what  Davis  was 
saying. 

"Will  you  send  one  of  my  policemen  here, 
West?  There  are  several  important  matters 
which  I  must  see  about  today."  The  Indian 
agent  spoke  with  effort. 

56 


'MORE  FOR  AN   INJUN" 


"I  fear  you  are  not  strong  enough  to  see 
anyone  yet,"  Henry  suggested  kindly. 

The  man  glared  at  him  and  hotly  said,  "Oh, 
hell !  Yes,  I  am !  All  that  hurts  is  my  ankle,  and 
I  don't  have  to  talk  with  that." 

With  an  abrupt,  "Very  well,  sir,"  West 
moved  towards  the  door. 

"Say,  West,"  said  Davis,  raising  his  voice; 
"I  know  you  didn't  give  me  that  help  yesterday 
because  you  love  me,"  with  a  slight  sneer, — "but 
I  thank  you  just  the  same." 

West  suddenly  wheeled  and  stood  for  a  mo- 
ment, rigid  with  clenched  hands,  looking  at  the 
man.  "No,  Dave  Davis,"  he  said  in  his  low,  firm 
voice,  "I  did  not  save  your  neck  because  I  even 
respect  you.  I  would  have  done  as  much,  or  even 
more,  for  any  old  Injun." 

Bess  met  him  as  he  went  through  the  living- 
room,  but  he  did  not  look  at  her  as  he  passed  out 
doors.  She  wondered  what  could  be  the  reason 
for  his  looking  so  sullen  as  he  passed,  and  knew 
that  it  must  be  the  man  upstairs. 

"Come  here  a  moment,  dear,"  called  Mrs. 
West  to  her ;  "I  want  you  to  take  some  breakfast 
up  to  Mr.  Davis.  One  of  my  women  is  sitting 
there." 

Bess  dreaded  meeting  him,  yet  she  could  not 
refuse  to  go.  She  carried  the  dainty  and  appe- 
tizing food  into  his  room,  and  entered  so  softly 
that  the  man  did  not  move.  She  thought  he  had 
fallen  asleep,  when  a  slight  groan  told  her  she 
was  mistaken. 

57 


THE   BRAND 


"Here  is  your  breakfast,  Mr.  Davis,"  she 
said  cheerily. 

"Oh,  it  is  you,  Miss  Fletcher!  I  had  begun 
to  wonder  why  you  did  not  come  to  see  your 
patient." 

"I  do  hope  you  are  better  this  morning,  and 
that  you  may  soon  be  strong  again,"  she  said, 
beginning  to  help  him  with  his  meal. 

"I  am  afraid  this  confounded  ankle  won't 
be  in  any  hurry  getting  well,"  he  replied  bitterly, 
"and  I  shall  be  obliged  to  force  my  unwelcome 
presence  here  for  too  long." 

"Please  don't  say  that,  Mr.  Davis;  I  am  sure 
you  are  perfectly  welcome  here.  Mrs.  West  is 
only  too  glad  to  do  all  she  can  to  alleviate  your 
pain,"  reassured  Bess  hastily. 

"Yes,  I  understand,"  he  replied,  as  he  sipped 
his  coffee,  "but  Henry  West  has  some  sort  of  a 
grudge  against  me.  Guess  he  thinks  that  at  one 
time  I  cared  for  his  sister."  Bess  noticed  a  swift, 
sneering  smile  flit  across  his  lips.  He  continued : 
"One  never  knows  what  to  expect  from  these 
Indians." 

"S — sh,"  warned  Bess,  glancing  at  the  serv- 
ant. She  did  not  like  what  he  was  saying  nor 
the  tone  of  his  voice,  and  as  soon  as  he  had  fin- 
ished his  breakfast  she  hurriedly  left  him.  Could 
the  cause  of  all  of  Henry's  hatred  be  the  sister 
whom  he  had  loved  so  tenderly,  she  wondered. 


58 


CHAPTER  VIII 

BESS   LEARNS   THE   REAL   CAUSE   OF  THE   ACCIDENT 

The  girl  had  begun  to  tidy  up  the  living- 
room  and  the  pretty  library,  with  its  shelves  of 
choice  books,  when  Mrs.  West  came  in  to  remon- 
strate. "There  are  plenty  of  hands  to  do  those 
tasks,  Miss  Bess,"  she  said,  as  she  held  the  girl's 
hands  in  her  own.  "You  just  go  out  and  enjoy 
yourself,  dear.  It  is  such  a  pretty  day  that  it 
is  a  pity  to  stay  in-doors." 

"Oh,  please  let  me  help  you,  Mrs.  West," 
pleaded  Bess,  "for  I  do  enjoy  working ;  and  then, 
too,  with  your  increased  family  you  will  be  over- 
taxed." The  girl  spoke  with  such  earnestness 
that  Mrs.  West  relented,  thinking  perhaps  Bess 
would  feel  more  at  home  if  she  assumed  some 
little  responsibilities.  "You  see,"  Bess  explained, 
"my  father  insisted  upon  the  nuns  at  the  convent 
teaching  me  all  kinds  of  housework  and  serving, 
and  it  has  been  a  great  source  of  comfort  to  me 
to  feel  that  I  need  not  be  dependent  upon  anyone 
to  do  these  tasks  for  me." 

Mrs.  West's  eyes  followed  the  girl  as  she  con- 
tinued her  task  quietly  and  quickly,  all  the  while 
busily  talking. 

"You'll  be  surprised,  little  Mother,  when  I 
tell  you  that  I  have  made  nearly  all  of  my  own 
clothes.  You'll  let  me  help  you  sew,  too,  won't 

59 


THE    BRAND 


you?  It  must  be  a  great  problem  for  you  to  find 
anyone  here,  is  it  not?" 

The  deft  fingers  were  putting  little  touches 
here  and  there,  now  arranging  a  vase  of  flowers 
or  moving  a  picture,  and  Mrs.  West  noted  with 
pleasure  how  soon  the  room  bore  evidence  of  her 
artistic  taste. 

As  the  days  succeeded  each  other  and  the 
girl  grew  more  and  more  into  the  home  life  of  the 
ranch,  she  became  a  help  and  consolation  to  Mrs. 
West,  in  a  thousand  different  ways.  She  re- 
lieved her  of  many  little  duties  and  assumed  so 
willingly  and  competently  the  many  cares  that 
ere  long  Mrs.  West  began  wondering  how  she 
had  ever  been  able  to  get  along  without  Bess,  or 
how  she  had  ever  had  the  time  or  strength  to  look 
after  the  house  alone.  She  now  found  time  to 
rest  and  to  read.  She  even  took  up  her  practice 
again,  and  many  were  the  delightful  hours  which 
she  and  Bess  spent  together  with  their  music. 
The  lonely  place  in  her  heart  was  being  filled  by 
the  presence  of  this  sweet,  lovable  girl,  and  her 
tender,  motherly  love  went  out  to  Bess,  as  if  the 
girl  were  indeed  her  own  daughter. 

The  visitor  was  considerate  of  every  one.  She 
was  always  seeing  some  kind  thing  to  do  or 
gentle  word  to  say,  and  every  one,  including  the 
old  Indians,  who  frequently  came  to  the  ranch, 
was  treated  with  respect  and  given  a  kindly 
smile.  Before  the  autumn  had  come  her  figure, 
riding  on  Mauchacho,  sometimes  with  James  or 
Henry  West,  or  often  alone,  grew  so  familiar  that 

60 


THE  REAL  CAUSE  OF  THE  ACCIDENT 

the  Indians  named  her  "Bright  Eyes,"  because 
of  the  happy  face  and  beautiful  eyes. 

Those  first  few  weeks  at  the  ranch  were  full 
of  pleasure  and  delight  for  Bess.  She  took  long 
rides  of  exploration  over  the  vast  acres,  and 
each  time,  upon  her  return  to  the  house,  told 
of  the  wonderful  things  which  she  had  discov- 
ered. 

"There  is  the  dearest  spot  up  along  the  Lake 
shore/'  she  told  Mrs.  West  one  afternoon  as 
she  and  Mauchacho  came  up  to  the  porch,  re- 
turning from  one  of  their  pleasant  rides.  "It  is 
up  on  a  little  knoll,  with  beautiful  pine  trees 
that  looked  as  if  they  had  been  freshly  scrubbed 
this  very  day;  and  such  very  comfortable  rocks 
and  logs  lying  about.  I  am  going  to  take  my 
crayons  and  sketch  there  some  day.  Such  a 
magnificent  view  of  the  vast  blue  lake,  the  moun- 
tains all  around  and  Wild  Horse  Island  in  the 
distance." 

Then,,  as  if  she  felt  half  guilty  for  leaving, 
she  inquired  how  Mr.  Davis  seemed.  "Keally,  I 
should  not  have  left  you  to  take  care  of  him  so 
long  alone.  I'll  be  in  the  house  in  a  moment, 
little  Mother,  and  relieve  you." 

As  none  of  the  men  were  about  Bess  un- 
saddled her  horse  and  turned  him  loose  to  bury 
his  nose  in  the  soft,  green  grass  of  the  pasture. 
She  stood  a  moment  watching  Mauchacho  as  he 
sniffed  to  find  a  good  place  to  roll.  "Over  Mau- 
chacho, over  again,  two  hundred!  three  hundred 
dollars;  good,  but  we  won't  sell  you  for  a  thou- 

61 


THE   BRAND 


sand,  will  we,  you  beauty?"  And  with  her  hat 
and  gloves  she  ran  into  the  house  and  hurriedly 
dressed  to  take  charge  of  the  sick  man. 

Davis  had  proved  a  quiet  patient  during  his 
confinement  and  was  now  sitting  up  most  of  the 
day  and  soon  would  be  able  to  be  removed  to  his 
quarters  at  the  agency.  In  his  secret  heart  he 
knew  that  he  was  in  no  hurry  to  go;  perhaps, 
had  he  made  an  effort,  he  could  have  gone  some 
days  ago.  But  he  could  not  tear  himself  away 
from  the  girl  who  had  helped  to  alleviate  his 
suffering,  and  whose  sweet  voice  had  charmed 
him  when  she  read  during  the  long,  tedious 
hours,  and  thrilled  him  while  she  sang,  he  lying 
quietly  and  watching  her  face,  songs  that  were 
simple  and  sweet  and  full  of  deepest  melody. 
But  she  always  appeared  abstracted ;  her  brown 
eyes  did  not  see  the  things  about  her,  but  gazed 
upon  unknown  visions  which  only  her  heart  saw. 
Sometimes  the  brightest  smiles  played  upon  her 
lips  and  lighted  up  her  face  with  joy;  again, 
tear-drops  hung  on  her  long  lashes,  and  fell  un- 
heeded upon  her  hands. 

If  he  could  only  divine  the  thoughts  which 
caused  her  emotion!  He  could  not,  but  was  en- 
tranced and  deeply  moved.  Was  he  growing  to 
love  this  girl,  he  asked  himself  a  dozen  times  a 
day.  No,  surely  he  was  not.  But,  even  if  he 
were,  did  he  dare?  Cbuld  he,  Dave  Davis,  make 
this  beautiful,  unsuspecting  and  pure  child  love 
him?  Always,  he  would  banish  the  thought,  for 

62 


THE  REAL  CAUSE  OF  THE  ACCIDENT 

he  still  possessed  a  conscience,  and  could  not 
think  of  her  in  this  relation  without  a  twinge. 

Today  as  she  came  into  the  sick-room,  all 
rosy  and  fresh  after  her  ride,  he  looked  at  her 
with  admiration.  She  had  never  looked  half  so 
charming  to  him  before;  the  simple  white  dress 
made  her  girlish,  and  the  bunch  of  yellow  blos- 
soms thrust  into  the  loose  knot  of  brown  hair, 
just  behind  her  ear,  gave  her  a  saucy  air.  She 
was  brushing  the  hair  from  her  brow  as  she  ap- 
proached the  chair  in  which  he  was  sitting. 

"I  envy  you  your  ride  and  the  fresh  air,  Miss 
Fletcher.  It  seems  ages  since  I  felt  my  horse 
under  me.  I  never  shall  forgive  him  for  stepping 
in  a  hole  that  day.  Guess  if  I  had  not  been  so 
intent  watching  the  girl  in  the  distance,"  he 
spoke  as  to  himself,  "trying  to  assure  myself  it 
was  Miss  Fletcher,  he  would  not  have  thrown 
me." 

"Oh,  Mr.  Davis!  I  hope  I  was  not  even  the 
unconscious  cause  of  your  accident,"  Bess  re- 
plied anxiously.  "Are  girls  such  a  rare  sight 
on  the  reservation  that  even  horses  run  away 
when  they  see  them?"  she  added,  half  jokingly. 

"Well — girls  like  you  are,  yes,"  he  replied, 
meaningly,  but  the  girl  would  not  understand. 

"When  I  am  well  and  able  to  ride,  will  you 
let  me  show  you  some  of  the  interesting  places 
on  the  reserve?  We'll  visit  the  Mission,  with 
its  school  of  Indians,  and  the  church." 

"Oh,  I  should  be  happy  to  go.  Thank  you, 
Mr.  Davis;  but  I  fear  I  cannot  wait,  for  Henry 

63 


THE   BRAND 


and  James  have  planned  to  go  with  me  to  the 
Mission  next  Sunday,  and  we  expect  to  be  there 
for  mass.  I  can  scarcely  wait,  and  know  the 
trip  will  be  full  of  interest." 

"Henry  West  seems  to  take  quite  a  good  deal 
of  your  time,"  he  said  pettishly,  and  Bess 
wrinkled  her  brow,  amused  at  his  displeasure. 

"Let  me  finish  the  book,"  suggested  Bess, 
but  the  man  said  he  was  tired  and  would  prefer 
to  rest.  She  regretted  his  petulant  mood,  and 
quietly  left  the  room. 


CHAPTER  IX 
"HELEN"  AT  ST.  IGNATIUS  MISSION 

Oh!  the  rarity  of  that  early  June  morning 
when  a  trio  of  happy  beings  mounted  their  eager 
horses.  The  dawn  was  still  in  the  east,  where 
roseate  clouds  hung  soft  and  low  on  the  crests 
of  the  mountains.  In  the  shadows  the  blueness 
of  the  fleeing  night  still  lingered.  The  air  was 
unusually  soft  for  the  early  hour  and  birds  twit- 
tered to  arouse  their  tardy  nest-mates. 

The  tamaracks  were  now  the  softest,  tender- 
est  green,  and  in  the  dawning  light  seemed  like 
soft  billows  of  sea  foam  which  had  been  flung 
through  the  miles  of  space  and  caught  in  the  out- 
stretched arms  of  the  tall  monarchs  of  the  hills. 
It  was  only  a  little  after  five  o'clock,  but  the 
long  ride  of  twenty-five  miles  to  St.  Ignatius 
Mission  demanded  an  early  start,  so  that  the 
horses  might  be  well  rested  before  returning  to 
HW  ranch. 

Henry  West  was  cramming  into  the  pockets 
of  his  mackinaw  what  later  proved  to  be  some 
appetizing  sandwiches;  for  he  knew  Fletcher's 
returning  health  and  vigor  caused  insatiable  de- 
mand for  "grub."  Mrs.  West  had  thoughtfully 
prepared  the  lunch  as  they  were  hurrying  to  get 
started.  Now  she  stood  in  the  open  doorway, 
smiling  good-byes  to  her  family. 

65 


THE   BRAND 


Bess  looked  beautifully  charming  in  her  well- 
fitted  jacket  and  divided  skirt  of  reseda  green. 
A  filmy  white  veil  was  tied  over  her  sombrero 
and  floated  over  her  shoulder  in  long  loops  like 
a  fleecy  cloud  nestling  against  her  soft,  brown 
tresses.  At  her  throat  showed  the  soft  whiteness 
of  her  shirt  waist,  for,  "was  it  not  Sunday,  and 
were  they  not  going  to  church,  and  ought  they 
not  to  be  dressed  in  their  best?"  she  argued  when 
James  asked  why  she  had  not  worn  her  corduroy 
suit  for  the  long,  dusty  ride.  Bess  wished  se- 
cretly that  she,  too  might  wear  the  leathern 
"chapps"  like  the  boys;  as  they  seemed  so  much 
more  comfortable  than  a  lot  of  useless  cloth 
about  one.  She  vowed  inwardly  that  some  day, 
when  no  one  was  looking,  she  would  try  the 
"chapps,"  and  if  they  proved  satisfactory  why 
should  she  not  wear  them  too? 

The  horses  made  good  time  at  a  steady  gait, 
and  all  were  so  preoccupied  that  only  a  few  de- 
sultory remarks  were  exchanged.  As  the  miles 
grew  in  number  the  dawn  became  brighter  and 
brighter,  till  now  old  Sol  shot  forth  his  stream- 
ing gold  and  a  new  and  glorious  day  began. 

"This  will  be  a  very  warm  day,"  remarked 
Henry  West,  after  a  deliberate  survey  of  the 
sky.  "It  feels  like  a  weather-breeder  and  I  think 
we'll  have  a  heavy  rain  by  night."  He  unfast- 
ened his  mackinaw,  and  the  breeze  blew  out  his 
soft,  white,  silk  shirt  in  little  fat  puffs. 

They  passed  groups  of  fine,  sleek  cattle  and 
horses,  the  HW  brand  being  the  most  conspicu- 

66 


'HELEN* 


cms  among  them.  Suddenly  Henry  West  gave 
Eagle  a  swift  turn  on  the  bridle  and  sped  across 
the  grass  till  he  came  upon  some  strange  calves. 
From  the  distance  intervening  Bess  and  James 
watched  him  wonderingly  and  with  interest. 
When  he  returned  to  them  his  face  was  lowering. 
James  was  about  to  ask  what  was  wrong,  but 
thought  if  it  were  anything  of  interest  to  him 
that  Henry  would  tell  him. 

On  and  on  they  rode,  now  in  a  swift  gallop, 
for  the  road  was  smooth  and  hard,  and  by  this 
time  the  horses  had  their  "second  wind." 

Bess'  inquisitiveness  got  the  better  of  her, 
and  she  cried :  "For  pity's  sake,  Henry,  do  tell 
me  what  is  wrong!  Can't  you  see  I'm  just  burst- 
ing to  know?"  And  she  gave  her  contumacious 
hair  a  vigorous  thrust  under  her  sombrero. 

West  began  slowly:  "James,  in  your  riding 
over  the  range,  have  you  noticed  among  any  of 
my  cows  a  scrub,  measly-looking  red  bull?  Those 
calves,  back  there,  show  his  ear-marks.  Last 
year  I  told  old  Savaeau  that  if  he  did  not  kill 
that  damned  nuisance  I  would  the  first  chance  I 
got.  And  here  this  season's  calves  are  again 
contaminated  by  scrub  breeding." 

Bess  had  grown  so  accustomed  to  hearing 
discussions  of  all  kinds  concerning  the  cattle 
and  horses  that  she  was  deeply  interested,  and 
now,  before  James  had  time  to  reply,  she  spoke : 
"Do  you  know  that  about  three  days  ago  when 
I  was  going  over  to  Poison  I  came  across  several 
of  your  cows  and  a  most  terrible  looking  animal 

67 


THE   BRAND 


with  them!  He  had  a  big  head  like  a  buffalo, 
and  a  dreadful  hump;  the  rest  of  him  looked 
like — well,  like — just  cow.  Is  that  the  one  you 
are  looking  for?"  She  was  surprised  and  hurt 
at  the  look  the  boys  gave  each  other,  and  then 
roars  and  peals  of  laughter  rent  the  air. 

Bess'  cheeks  flamed  up  red  and  hot,  and  she 
gave  Mauchacho  a  cut  across  the  flanks  which 
caused  him  to  leap  forward  in  surprise,  and  he 
sped  like  a  streak  down  the  winding  road  and 
out  of  sight  behind  a  low  hill.  Tears  sprang  into 
the  girl's  eyes,  not  so  much  perhaps  at  the  ex- 
changed glances  and  laughter,  as  at  the  thought 
that  perhaps  her  unsolicited  interest  had  been 
misconstrued.  She  now  quietly  checked  Mau- 
chacho and  hastily  pulled  off  her  jacket.  She 
brushed  her  wet  cheeks  with  her  sleeve  in  her 
haste  to  appear  nonchalent  to  the  approaching 
horsemen,  whom  she  could  hear  hastening  after 
her.  To  her  dismay,  she  discovered  that  her 
immaculate  sleeve  was  now  all  grimy  and  dust- 
streaked  and  knew  that  her  face  too  must  be 
streaked  with  dirt.  Luckily  she  had  just  reached 
a  stream  of  clear,  cold  water,  and  she  slipped  off 
her  horse  and  was  already  bathing  her  face  when 
Henry  West  reached  her. 

He  stood  silently  behind  her,  watching  the 
lithe,  graceful  girl,  as  she  bent  down  to  kiss  the 
stream.  She  glanced  over  her  shoulder,  her  face 
dripping  with  the  cool  water,  her  hair  wet  and 
falling  over  her  eyes. 

"I  did  not  cry — so  there — you  need  not  look 
68 


'HELEN' 


so  sorry ,"  she  said,  with  half  pouting  lips  that 
could  no  longer  resist  the  pulsates  of  her  happy 
nature,  and  involuntarily  she  burst  into  a  merry 
laugh. 

"I  am  really  sorry  to  have  been  so  rude  as  to 
laugh  at  your  remarks,  Miss  Fletcher/'  West 
was  saying,  and  again  he  tried  in  vain  to  re- 
strain himself. 

"What's  up,  Sister;  fall  in  the  creek?" 

"No,  I  was  just  trying  to  drown  my  sorrow 
when  this  gentleman  interfered  and  I  took  a 
drink  instead,"  Bess  replied  facetiously,  and 
when  they  again  resumed  their  journey  each  was 
light-hearted  once  more. 

"Please  tell  me,  James,  what  was  the  thing 
I  tried  to  describe,  will  you?"  Bess  asked,  as  she 
and  James  had  fallen  behind  Eagle  for  a  little 
way. 

"Why,  that  was  a  cattelo,  which  is  part 
buffalo  and  part  cow.  They  are  rather  dreadful 
looking  creatures,  to  be  sure,  and  I  can't  see 
why  West  raises  them,  unless  because  the  hides 
are  valuable,  and  perhaps  the  meat  has  a  rare 
flavor." 

It  was  now  after  eight  o'clock  and  West  said 
that  they  would  soon  come  in  sight  of  St.  Ig- 
natius. A  short  distance  ahead  of  them  walked 
a  hurrying  priest.  One  hand  tightly  clasped  a 
prayer-book,  while  the  other  tried  in  vain  to 
lift  the  already  begrimmed  cassock  out  of  the 
dust.  The  boys  lifted  their  sombreros  in  saluta- 
tion, and  to  Bess'  cheery  "Good  morning, 


THE   BRAND 


Father,"  the  priest  gave  her  a  smile  and  a  "God 
bless  you." 

At  last  they  saw  the  beautiful  grounds  of  the 
Mission,  with  its  church  spire  and  the  roofs  of 
the  many  buildings,  interspersed  with  the  trees, 
whose  fresh,  green  foliage  was  invitingly  cool. 
The  sun  had  grown  unusually  warm  for  early 
morning  and  eagerly  the  girl  reined  her  horse 
in  the  refreshing  shadows  of  the  trees. 

The  bell  suddenly  pealed  forth,  and  they 
hastened  to  dismount.  West  cared  for  the  horses 
and  James  led  Bess  into  the  beautiful  little 
church.  The  sight  that  met  their  eyes  was 
strange  to  Eastern  eyes.  Indians  knelt  with 
their  bright  colored  blankets  wrapped  closely 
about  them.  The  candles  fluttered  on  the  altar 
profusely  covered  with  early  spring  flowers. 
James  sought  the  West's  pew  and  led  his  sister 
there.  As  she  sunk  on  her  knees  to  pray  the 
organ  sounded  and  in  marched  the  somberly-clad 
nuns,  followed  by  the  many  Indian  children  who 
were  attending  school.  The  entire  service  passed 
like  a  dream  to  Bess;  and  she  was  often  dis- 
tracted watching  the  children  at  their  prayers, 
listening  to  their  sweet,  untrained  voices  in  the 
choir,  or  analyzing  some  Indian,  stoically  mov- 
ing his  lips  in  prayer. 

"Mea  culpa,  mea,  culpa — "  murmured  Bess, 
half  audibly,  as  she  heard  others  striking  their 
breasts;  and  she  half  turned  to  see  if  Henry 
West  had  yet  come  into  the  seat  beside  them.  He 
was  not  there,  nor  did  he  come.  "He  is  perhaps 

70 


'HELEN* 


in  the  rear,"  thought  Bess.  It  was  not  long  till 
they  knelt  for  the  blessing,  and  soon  all  were 
filing  out  of  the  church.  Bess  left  James  at  the 
door,  saying  she  wished  to  wander  through  the 
gardens. 

What  a  profusion  of  blooming  shrubs!  The 
air  was  sweet  with  the  fruit  blossoms,  and  all 
along  the  paths  were  wonderfully  fragrant 
pansies,  violets,  and  other  early  flowers.  Near 
the  church  was  the  cemetery  with  its  numerous 
white-painted  crosses.  As  Bess  looked  through 
the  enclosure  she  was  attracted  by  an  imposing 
monument,  and,  curious  to  learn  what  distin- 
guished person  had  found  his  last  resting  place 
here,  she  entered  God's  Acre.  As  she  neared  the 
grave  she  saw  Henry  West  kneeling  in  the 
shadow  of  the  monument,  his  face  buried  in  his 
arm  as  he  leaned  against  the  stone.  Bess  sud- 
denly halted.  Never  in  her  life  had  she  beheld 
such  despair.  Either  he  had  heard  her  approach 
or  intuitively  felt  she  was  near,  for  without  lift- 
ing his  head  he  stretched  forth  a  hand  to  her. 
She  could  not  resist  the  appeal.  She  grasped  his 
hard  and  swarthy  hand,  and  unconsciously 
clasped  it  to  her  breast. 

In  a  moment  a  face,  pale  and  drawn,  was 
raised  to  meet  her  sympathetic  gaze.  He  tried  to 
speak,  but  could  utter  no  word.  Releasing  his 
hand  he  pointed  slowly  to  the  tiny  cross  at  his 
feet. 

Bess  dropped  to  her  knees  and  read  the  word 
HELEN.  That  was  all.  That  was  enough.  What 

71 


THE   BRAND 


could  cold,  hard  words  tell  of  her  who  was  sleep- 
ing there?  "Helen/'  the  world  might  read,  and 
perhaps  give  a  sigh.  "Helen,"  the  man  now  read, 
and  his  heart  yearned  for  his  dear,  lost  sister 
and  for  the  love  that  had  been  torn  from  him. 
What  idle  print  could  show  the  grief  and  misery 
that  had  broken  that  young  heart? 

"Helen"  was  all  Bess  saw,  and  yet  intuitively 
she  read  pages  of  love,  sacrifice,  heartaches,  hope, 
pain  and  glory.  She  arose,  and  impulsively  plac- 
ing both  her  hands  against  the  dark  man's  face, 
she  said  in  a  whisper  of  sympathy,  "Henry — 
Henry !  Why  cannot  I  be  your  sister?  Let  me 
fill  her  place  in  your  heart !  Let  me  take  up  the 
broken  thread  and  finish  the  weaving!  Can  I? 
May  I?" 

My  God !  What  was  she  saying !  What  had 
he  heard?  "Henry,  Henry"  rang  in  the  man's 
ears,  sweeter  than  any  music.  She  had  spoken 
his  name,  now,  today;  and  how  he  had  longed  to 
hear  her  lips  frame  that  homely  word.  He  re- 
caught  the  echo  of  her  appeal.  It  was  not  love 
that  prompted  her  then ;  it  was  only  pity.  Were 
love  and  pity  akin?  When  he  could  collect  his 
thoughts  sufficiently  to  reply  he  clasped  both 
her  hands  in  his  own  for  a  brief  moment.  Then 
he  stepped  back  and  flung  up  his  head.  With  set 
jaws  he  said,  in  such  a  low  voice  that  Bess  leaned 
forward  on  the  tiny  marble  cross  to  catch  the 
words,  "I  could  not  go  into  the  church — I  could 
not  pray  while  hatred  tore  my  heart  in  pieces — I 
could  not  forget  her — her  misery — I  stayed  here 

72 


"HELEN* 


near  her — to  tell  her  again  she  shall  be  aven— 
Hastily  collecting  himself  and  smothering  his 
passion,  he  continued,  "Thank  you,  little  girl- 
Bess,  I  may  now  say;  thank  you  for  your  sym- 
pathy and  your  pity.  I  know  you  are  sincere, 
but  somehow — somehow — there  is  still  a  void 
here,"  as  he  clutched  at  his  pounding  heart. 
"Your  words  do  not  suffice — they  cannot,  will 
not.  No,  only  she — Helen — could  be  a  sister." 

Had  Bess  not  been  so  unsophisticated  she 
would  have  understood  the  subtle  meaning  of  his 
words.  As  it  was,  she  only  felt  her  unworthiness, 
and  was  sorry  her  impulsive  nature  had  thrust 
itself  forward. 

For  a  moment  there  was  an  awkward  silence, 
which  Henry  West  relieved :  "Come,  I  will  show 
you  about  the  grounds  and  buildings.  James  is 
visiting  with  Father  Damien,  over  there  near 
the  church,"  and  he  led  the  silent  girl  away. 

Presently  they  were  viewing  with  interest 
all  the  beauties  of  the  place.  Here  were  fine, 
substantial,  brick  school  buildings,  one  for  the 
girls  and  another  for  the  boys,  where  they  were 
taught  all  useful  and  instructive  arts.  The  broad 
fields  were  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and 
the  trees  of  the  orchard  gave  promise  of  an 
abundant  harvest,  so  laden  were  they  with  lin- 
gering blossoms  and  fast-forming  fruit.  This 
seemed  to  be  the  very  choicest  bit  of  the  reserva- 
tion, where  years  and  years  ago  came  the  Jesuit 
priests,  and  where,  during  all  this  time,  they 

73 


THE   BRAND 


had  labored  zealously  for  the  temporal  and  spir- 
itual welfare  of  the  Indian  children. 

Seated  in  a  wheel  chair,  in  a  sunny  exposure 
of  the  garden,  they  came  upon  a  black-robed  nun 
with  another  nun  standing  near  her.  As  Bess 
and  Henry  West  approached  the  one  turned  to 
meet  them.  What  a  dear,  young  face  was  that 
which  upturned  to  meet  Bess'  interested  look. 
What  an  expression  of  human  understanding 
lighted  up  the  deep  blue  eyes,  as  the  girl  said  to 
her,  "Good  morning,  Sister;  are  you  enjoying 
God's  beautiful  sunshine?" 

"Yes,  dear;  Sister  Mary  Joseph  can  scarcely 
be  inveigled  indoors  now  that  the  sun  is  becom- 
ing so  fervent.  Well!  Well!"  the  nun  inter- 
rupted, "if  here  isn't  Henry  West!  See!  Sister 
Mary  Joseph,  who  has  honored  us  with  a  visit 
today !" 

Henry  West  stepped  forward  holding  his  som- 
brero in  his  hands.  "This  is  Miss  Bess  Fletcher, 
James'  sister;"  he  said,  "and  Bess,  this  is  Sister 
Mary  Joseph,  and  Sister  Agnes." 

Bess  bent  over  the  aged  nun,  who,  with  dif- 
ficulty, lifted  her  hand.  But,  although  the  face 
was  lined  and  seamed  by  the  hand  of  time  and 
the  hardships  of  frontier  life,  the  smiles  of  wel- 
come and  greeting  were  made  of  that  kind  of 
woof  and  warp  which  never  show  the  ravages  of 
age.  Henry  explained,  "Sister  Mary  Joseph  has 
been  here  ever  since  1865,  and  has  seen  all  the 
vicissitudes  of  St.  Ignatius  Mission." 

Bess  longed  to  hear  the  dear  old  woman  re- 
74 


'HELEN' 


late  some  of  the  wonderful  experiences  which 
she  had  seen  and  in  which  she  herself  had  been 
an  important  factor,  but  the  bell  was  calling  for 
the  second  mass,  and  as  Sister  Agnes  was  just 
then  relieved  from  her  duty  by  another  nun,  she 
asked  Bess  to  accompany  her  to  the  church  and 
sing. 

Henry  West  had  gone  on  and  joined  James  at 
the  door. 

At  the  offertory  Bess  sang  Mascagni's  Ave 
Maria,  and  as  her  soft,  glorious  voice  arose  and 
fell  in  beautiful  tone  waves,  even  Father  Damien 
and  the  Indians  held  their  breath  for  fear  of  los- 
ing a  sound. 

When  Bess  had  finished  Sister  Agnes  kissed 
her  cheek,  and  left  the  imprint  of  her  own  wet 
one. 


75 


CHAPTER  X 

A    WESTERN    TRAGEDY 

"After  all,  we  have  not  gained  much  by  stay- 
ing at  the  Mission  over  night,  for  another  storm 
is  coming  and  we  better  hurry  to  some  place  of 
shelter  or  we  shall  all  be  drenched  to  the  skin," 
remarked  Henry  West,  as  he  casually  glanced 
over  his  shoulder  toward  the  Southwestern 
horizon,  where  an  ominous  looking  rain-cloud 
was  rapidly  rising.  As  he  had  predicted  the 
day  before,  a  heavy  rain  began  just  as  they  were 
about  to  re-saddle  the  horses  to  return  to  HW 
ranch.  The  morning  dawned  soft  and  warm; 
fresh  from  the  washed  hillsides  came  the  ozone ; 
the  east  was  filled  with  fiery,  red  clouds,  which 
warned  them  that  the  rain  was  not  yet  all  spilled 
upon  the  thirsty  earth.  How  green  the  stretch 
of  grazing  land  looked ;  how  verdant  the  distant 
pines  and  firs,  fresh  from  nature's  bath!  The 
dust  in  the  wagon  road  was  all  gone,  and  now 
occasionally  the  horses  splashed  with  delight 
through  mud  puddles. 

"Mauchacho,  if  you  spatter  my  go-to-meeting 
riding  togs  you'll  get  your  ears  pulled,"  Bess 
said  to  her  horse.  She  had  not  heard  West's  re- 
mark regarding  the  weather  for  she  was  in  an 
abstracted  mood. 

"Hold  on  a  moment,  boys,"  she  cried  after 
76 


A  WESTERN  TRAGEDY 


the  two.  They  had  given  their  horses  rein, 
thinking  she  was  aware  of  the  coming  storm,  and 
were  riding  swiftly  to  where  they  might  be  kept 
dry,  for  a  time  at  least.  Just  then  Bess  noticed 
the  light  becoming  dimmed.  Hastily  glancing 
back  she  saw  the  hurrying  rain  and  was  greeted 
by  a  splash  of  heralding  drops. 

"Oh,  so  that's  the  hurry !  Come,  Mauchacho, 
it's  up  to  you  to  keep  me  dry  and  save  this  green 
gown  from  making  a  blot  on  the  already  verdant 
landscape,"  she  said  whimsically,  and  the  horse, 
as  if  he  understood,  in  haste  to  overtake  his  flee- 
ing companions,  sped  like  the  bird  he  really  was 
and  reached  the  sheltering,  overhanging  rock 
before  the  others. 

As  the  trio  dismounted  each  drew  the  reins 
over  his  horse's  head,  and  so  left  them,  where 
they  stood  as  quietly  as  if  they  were  tied.  Quick- 
ly the  saddles  were  taken  off  their  steaming 
backs  and  placed  under  the  shelter  of  the  rocks. 
Bess  and  James  were  already  safely  out  of  the 
rain,  and  the  girl  was  impatiently  jumping  up 
and  down  urging  Henry  West  to  "hurry  for 
pity's  sake"  or  else  he  would  be  drowned. 

As  West  crouched  under  the  ledge  he  took  off 
his  broad  hat  and  shook  the  rain  from  it,  say- 
ing: "These  things  are  nearly  as  good  as  an 
umbrella;  aren't  they,  James?" 

"Come  under  here  closer,  Henry;  you  are 
not  out  of  the  rain  yet,"  said  Bess.  She  took  hold 
of  his  arm  and  pulled  him  close  to  her.  So  they 
stood,  the  fresh,  rosy,  smiling  girl,  with  wilful 

77 


TEE   BRAND 


brown  tresses  over  her  face,  clinging  to  the  dark, 
stalwart  man  on  one  side  and  to  her  fair-skinned 
brother  on  the  other.  Silently  they  watched  the 
rain,  which  fell  in  gusty  sheets. 

The  horses  had  shifted  and  stood  dejectedly 
with  their  tails  against  the  increasing  on- 
slaughts. 

"Poor  old  baby  Mauchacho,"  said  Bess,  ten- 
derly; "I  wish  there  was  room  to  crowd  you  in 
here,  too."  The  horse  replied  with  a  knowing 
wriggle  of  his  ear,  as  if  to  say  he  "wished  so, 
too." 

"Here,  here,  James,  cheer  up,"  said  the  sister, 
giving  him  a  vigorous  shake.  "Don't  you  know 
that  behind  the  clouds  is  still  the  blue  sky?"  He 
was  looking  nearly  as  lowery  as  the  rain-clouds, 
and  even  West  came  from  his  Reverie,  asking 
what  was  the  trouble. 

"You  see,"  said  James,  "this  will  delay  us 
nearly  two  days  in  rounding  up  the  beef  for  that 
shipment,  and  I  doubt  if  the  men  can  have  them 
at  Selish  in  time." 

Young  Fletcher  had  proved  his  mettle  on  the 
ranch. 

"Oh,  well,  Jim !  I'll  help,  and  I  think  we  can 
manage  all  O.  K."  answered  Henry  West,  opti- 
mistically. "Here,  Bess,  sit  down  awhile,"  he 
added,  quickly  drawing  off7 his  rnackinaw  and 
spreading  it  on  the  bed  of  pine  needles.  The 
girl  could  offer  no  remonstrance,  as  he  gently 
placed  her  on  the  coat. 

"Do  you  think  I  can  be  comfortable  here 
78 


A  WESTERN  TRAGEDY 


while  I  know  YOU  will  get  cold?  You'll  surely 
be  ill !"  She  started  to  rise,  but  as  he  placed  her 
on  the  seat  again  he  assured  her  that  when  he 
grew  cold  he  would  ask  for  the  coat.  So  she  sat 
with  her  hands  clasped  about  her  knees,  and 
her  chin  buried  against  them;  her  soft,  liquid 
eyes  gazing  longingly  across  the  rain-dashed 
landscape. 

The  men,  too,  grew  silent,  and  the  time 
dragged.  Bess  gave  a  sigh  and  made  a  tentative 
effort  to  rise,  but  a  gentle,  restraining  hand  on 
her  shoulder  told  her  that  though  the  man  at  her 
side  was  silent,  he  was  still  solicitous.  James, 
becoming  weary  of  standing,  seated  himself  with 
his  back  pressed  tight  against  that  of  his  sister. 

How  the  thoughts  began  chasing  each  other 
through  the  girl's  brain !  Little  incidents  of  her 
girlhood  days,  or  perhaps  some  memory  of  happy 
companionship  at  school  would  cause  her  to 
smile.  Then,  again,  a  sigh  at  some  memory 
came  unconsciously  from  her  lips;  and  once,  as 
she  recalled  a  humorous  episode,  a  little  ripple 
of  laughter  escaped  her. 

"Enjoying  yourself,  Bess?"  asked  James,  irri- 
tably, at  her  jocular  outburst.  "I  wish  this  in- 
fernal rain  would  let  up  so  we  could  get  home 
some  time  today,"  he  added. 

"It  seems  to  be  letting  up  some  now,"  said 
West.  "If  you'll  let  me  take  the  mackinaw, 
please,  I'll  go  out  and  take  a  look  over  the  hills 
and  see  how  much  longer  we  shall  have  to  wait." 

When  West  had  gone  out  into  the  rain,  Bess 
79 


THE   BRAND 


asked  her  brother  what  time  of  .day  it  was. 
"We've  been  here  two  infernal  hours/'  he  said, 
"and  it  is  nearly  noon.  I  wish  we  had  some 
lunch,  for  we'll  all  be  mighty  hungry  before  we 
reach  the  ranch." 

"Please,  James,  don't  be  cross.  That  won't 
drive  the  rain  away,  and  it  only  makes  us  feel 
more  uncomfortable.  Ah!  Here  comes  the 
weather  man !  I  can  tell  by  the  looks  of  his  face 
that  there  is  soon  to  be  a  rainbow!"  cried  the 
girl,  joyfully,  as  West  re-entered  the  shelter. 

"Yes,  the  clouds  are  lifting,  and  it  will  soon 
be  safe  to  start.  I  fear  you'll  suffer  from  the 
mud,  Miss  Bess." 

"It  will  be  a  shame  to  spoil  this  green,"  she 
replied,  "but  I  fear  I  must  bear  it — for  my  stom- 
ach's sake.  Since  James  mentioned  being  hun- 
gry I  have  developed  such  an  alarming  craving 
for  something  to  eat  that  it  seems  as  if  I  had  not 
tasted  food  in  days.  Oh!  I  wish  there  were 
some  place  where  we  could  get  our  dinner !" 

"There  is,"  answered  West;  "over  at  Joe 
Nedreau's,  about  eight  miles  further  on." 

Soon  the  rain  ceased,  and  the  men  hurried 
with  the  saddles.  They  picked  their  way  care- 
fully through  the  water-soaked  sod  till  they 
reached  the  road,  where  the  water  was  running 
like  miniature  rivers.  At  first  Bess  tried  to 
guard  her  skirt-  from  the  muddy  onslaughts,  but 
soon  saw  that  her  efforts  were  of  no  avail  and 
urged  her  horse  into  a  faster  gait. 

The  miles  intervening  between  them  and  a 
80 


A  WESTERN  TRAGEDY 


prospective  meal  grew  less  and  less.  West,  rid- 
ing ahead,  scanned  the  grazing  herds  at  either 
side  in  a  desultory  manner.  Suddenly  he 
brought  Eagle  to  a  stop,  raised  himself  up  in  the 
stirrups,  and,  with  his  hand  shading  his  eyes, 
gazed  intently  across  the  range.  Quickly  he 
turned.  "Jim,  over  there  near  the  stream  is  that 
scrub  bull  of  Savaeau's!  Get  your  rope  ready 
and  come  with  me !  You  keep  Mauchacho  here," 
to  the  girl,  who  was  now  wide-eyed,  and  won- 
dered what  was  going  to  happen. 

With  difficulty  she  restrained  her  horse,  who 
was  bent  on  following  the  fleeing  companions. 
Bess  released  her  feet  from  the  stirrups  and 
sprang  quickly  to  the  ground  to  hold  the  animal 
by  the  bit;  and  by  patting  and  talking  softly  to 
him  succeeded  in  quieting  him. 

Over  the  green  expanse  sped  the  two  horse- 
men. West  bent  low  over  his  horse's  neck,  riding 
madly.  A  rise  in  the  ground  for  a  moment  con- 
cealed them,  when  up  they  shot,  like  two  huge 
birds. 

The  herd  had  already  seen  the  oncoming 
men,  and  instinctively  felt  that  harm  was  ap- 
proaching. With  a  loud  snort  and  his  tail  in 
the  air,  the  leader  galloped  over  the  range,  fol- 
lowed by  all  the  other  cattle.  On  came  the 
horses,  now  charged  with  excitement  and  knowl- 
edge of  what  was  coming.  James  swerved  to  the 
right  and  artfully  separated  the  bull  from  the 
rest  of  the  herd.  When  the  creature  discovered 
he  was  divided  from  the  other  cattle,  he  turned 

81 


THE   BRAND 


swiftly  and  unexpectedly,  which  nearly  resulted 
in  throwing  James  from  his  horse.  West  had 
ridden  across  from  the  herd,  and  with  his  rope 
already  swinging  in  the  air  would  have  captured 
the  animal  then  and  there  had  he  not  hesitated 
when  he  saw  that  James  was  nearly  unseated. 
The  hesitancy  gave  the  animal  a  fresh  start  and 
on  he  ran  and  ran,  ever  evading  his  pursuers. 
Snorting  horses  and  relentless  pursuers  drove 
him  from  every  shelter.  Each  man  knew  that 
the  only  way  to  capture  him  would  be  to  tire  him 
out. 

Bess  was  still  standing  at  her  horse's  head,  en- 
grossed in  watching  the  distant  chase.  They  were 
so  far  away  that  at  times  she  could  not  distin- 
guish the  men.  At  first  she  was  excited,  but  as 
she  saw  the  persistent  pursuit  and  the  vain  at- 
tempt the  animal  made  to  reach  a  place  of  safety, 
she  felt  a  wave  of  indignation  surge  over  her  and 
fill  her  with  hot  anger.  Stamping  her  foot  upon 
the  ground,  she  cried  out  in  vain :  "Oh,  you  two 
horrid  men!  Leave  that  poor  creature  alone! 
What  will  you  do  when  you  do  capture  him? 
Murder  him,  of  course !  James,  have  you  lost  all 
your  sense,  to  follow  that — that — Indian  !  Yes, 
that  is  all  you  are  now — an  Indian  thirsting  for 
the  blood  of  your  victim !" 

She  burst  into  uncontrollable  tears  and  hid 
her  face  against  her  horse's  neck,  to  shut  out  the 
vision  of  the  tragedy.  Mauchacho  bent  his  head 
and  touched  his  mistress  with  his  nose,  as  if  try- 
ing to  console  her.  Could  he  have  spoken  he 

82 


A  WESTERN  TRAGEDY 


would  have  explained  that  these  things  were  a 
part  of  Western  life;  how  it  was  impossible  to 
tolerate  low-bred  stock;  how  this  affair  would 
seem  all  right  when  she  became  accustomed  to 
the  ways  and  laws  of  the  range. 

So  the  girl  stood,  for  ages  it  seemed  to  her, 
until  she  heard  the  approach  of  the  horses.  She 
did  not  lift  her  head  when  they  came  up,  and 
West  saw  that  she  had  been  sorely  affected  by 
witnessing  the  capture. 

In  a  soft,  low  voice  he  said :  "I'm  very  sorry, 
Miss  Bess,  that  this  circumstance  occurred  just 
as  it  did.  It  was  unavoidable." 

The  girl  wheeled,  with  a  storm  of  reproof 
upon  her  lips;  but  as  she  saw  his  seriousness, 
her  parted  lips  closed  slowly,  and  she  left  unsaid 
what  she  thought  to  say.  She  shuddered  at  the 
remnant  of  blood  stains  which  she  saw  upon  his 
hands  and  bespattered  white  silk  shirt,  and 
springing  into  the  saddle  turned  her  horse  away 
with  an  unreasoning  jerk. 

James  saw  her  displeasure  and  only  aggra- 
vated it  by  saying  that  she  would  grow  accus- 
tomed to  such  things  if  she  stayed  in  the  cattle 
country. 

West  followed  Mauchacho  in  silence  and  only 
spoke  when  they  reached  the  Nedreau  ranch.  He 
hurried  forward  to  help  the  girl  dismount,  but 
she  scorned  his  assistance  and  sprang  lightly  to 
the  ground. 

"Did  you — did  you  kill  him?"  she  demanded, 
pushing  up  her  hair  with  an  angry  gesture. 


THE   BRAND 


"Yes — I  had  to,"  he  replied,  looking  into  her 
eyes  with  decisive  determination. 

Just  then  an  old  Indian  with  his  squaw  came 
into  view.  West  accosted  them,  and  by  numer- 
ous gestures  and  gutteral  sounds  explained  that 
down  under  the  willows,  near  the  creek,  they 
would  find  "heap  muck-a-muck." 

Bess  became  deeply  interested  in  the  ambigu- 
ous and  incoherent  conversation ;  saw  their  stoic 
faces  assuming  a  happy  and  expectant  expres- 
sion as  their  benefactor  impressed  upon  them  the 
fact  that  a  supply  of  fresh  beef  was  at  their  com- 
mand. Before  West  had  fairly  finished  explain- 
ing to  them,  they  had  started  their  old,  wobbly 
cayuses  into  their  swiftest  paces,  to  reach  the 
treasure  before  some  other  hungry  "Injun"  had 
discovered  the  prize. 

When  West  again  looked  at  Bess  she  could 
not  resist  a  smile,  and  remarked  that  at  least 
some  one  would  enjoy  the  spoils. 

The  man  was  greatly  relieved  at  the  restora- 
tion of  her  good  humor,  and  when  they  joined 
James  he  informed  them  that  in  a  few  minutes 
all  could  have  something  to  eat,  even  the  horses. 

"I  hope  it  won't  be  beef,"  suggested  Bess.  "I 
should  think  that  you  two  would  never  dare  to 
look  a  cow  in  the  face  again." 

While  at  dinner  James  told  his  companions 
a  story  which  was  positively  authentic.  He  re- 
membered how,  one  day  when  he  was  about  fif- 
teen years  of  age,  several  of  the  grades,  where  he 
was  attending  school,  met  for  the  purpose  of  giv- 

84 


A  WESTERN  TRAGEDY 


ing  jointly  a  Longfellow  programme.  Every- 
thing went  along  smoothly  and  beautifully,  and 
presently  he  heard  his  teacher  announce  that 
Miss  Emma  Lane  would  recite  The  Wreck  of  the 
Hesperus.  He  laughed  now  as  he  recalled  how 
his  heart  thumped  when  the  idol  of  his  youthful 
dreams  arose  and  walked  nervously  to  the  ros- 
trum. In  his  swift  yet  ardent  gaze  at  the  object 
of  his  adoration,  all  he  remembered  seeing  was  a 
beautiful  pink  bow  tucked  snugly  under  a  soft, 
generous  chin,  and  two  hands,  fingering  frantic- 
ly  at  either  side  of  her  freshly  laundered  white 
dress.  He  did  not  dare  look  again  for  he  felt 
himself  too  sympathetically  nervous.  Then  he 
heard  a  tentative,  quavering  voice  begin — "It 
was  the  schooner," — a  pause,  a  gulp,  and  again, 
"It  was  the  schooner,''  etc.,  and  this  time  the 
Hesperus  was  fairly  and  swiftly  launched  with 
the  skipper  and  his  little  daughter  aboard.  On 
sailed  the  craft  and  on  sailed  Emmie  ("as  I  called 
her/'  James  explained),  both  rising  and  falling 
with  the  angry  sea  and  rolling  waves.  With  her 
ever-increasing  confidence  he  felt  his  own  cour- 
age returning,  and  presently  he  gazed  with 
mouth  wide  open  at  the  fair  and  fat  girl  on  the 
platform.  Oh,  the  joy  he  felt  that  she  Avas  his. 
If  he  could  meet  her  on  the  way  from  school  that 
afternoon  he  believed  he  would  tell  her  how  he 
loved  her  and  thus  relieve  his  overburdened 
heart.  She,  so  simple,  so  fair,  so  plump  (if  a 
trifle  too  short),  and  withal  so  very  modest!  He 
did  not  hear  a  word  now  of  the  recitation, 
so  engrossed  was  he  in  the  living  poem  before 

85 


THE   BRAND 


him.  But,  as  she  made  a  frantic,  sweeping  ges- 
ture, he  came  back  to  earth  with  a  thud  as  he 
heard : 

"The  waves  looked  soft  as  carded  wool ; 
But  the  cruel  rocks,  they  gored  her  side. 
Like  the  horns  of  an  angry — cow." 

"Now,  that  settled  me;  that  settled  Emmie; 
for  shame,  Longfellow !"  concluded  James,  laugh- 
ing as  he  brought  to  his  mind's  eye  the  tragedy  of 
that  day  at  school.  When  the  three  were  able  to 
resume  their  meal  after  the  merriment  caused 
by  his  narrative,  Bess  remarked : 

"And  that  fatal  Hesperus  wrecked  all  his 
faith  in  women.  I  have  scarcely  even  found  him 
looking  at  one,  if  he  could  avoid  it.  Poor, 
broken-hearted  brother,7'  she  mocked,  teasingly. 

A  few  days  later  one  of  West's  cowboys  took 
a  splendid  Hereford  bull  across  the  hills  to  old 
Savaeau,  with  instructions  for  him  to  "stick  his 
iron  on  the  animal." 


86 


CHAPTER  XI 

THE  MIRACLE  OF  WOMANHOOD 

Dave  Davis,  the  Indian  agent,  had  sent  word 
that  he  wished  to  be  removed  to  his  quarters  at 
Arlee  as  soon  now  as  possible.  Today,  the  day  af- 
ter Bess'  return  from  her  interesting  visit  to  St. 
Ignatius  Mission,  he  was  expecting  one  of  his 
policemen  to  come  for  him.  His  foot  was  far 
from  strong,  but  he  had  managed  since  Sunday 
to  hobble  about  with  one  crutch  and  a  cane.  The 
past  two  days  had  been  tedious  and  long,  and  he 
had  sorely  missed  the  cheery  presence  of  the  girl. 
How  he  should  miss  her  singing  and  her  reading ! 
He  secretly  wished  he  had  further  excuse  to  re- 
main near  her;  yet,  on  the  other  hand,  it  was 
distasteful  to  him  to  be  brought  in  contact  with 
West.  Thus  far  they  had  seen  little"  of  each 
other.  Today  at  luncheon  would  be  their  first 
meal  together.  Each  dreaded  the  meeting,  yet 
Davis  could  not  excuse  himself,  and  if  Henry 
West  was  at  home,  he  was  too  much  of  a  gentle- 
man to  allow  a  guest  to  note  any  displeasure. 

Davis  slowly  and  painfully  found  his  way 
down  stairs  and  into  the  living-room,  in  quest  of 
Mrs.  West,  to  apprise  her  of  his  expectant  de- 
parture some  time  during  the  day,  and  to  offer,  if 
he  might,  some  pecuniary  settlement  for  all  the 
comforts  and  attentions  which  he  had  received 
during  his  enforced  stay  at  the  HW  Ranch. 

No  one  seemed  to  be  about,  but  presently  he 
heard,  coming  from  another  part  of  the  house, 

87 


THE   BRAND 


Bess'  melodious  voice.  Wafted  to  him  came  the 
words,  "And  sometimes  in  the  twilight  gloom 
apart — "  He  passed  through  the  dining-room 
and  paused  before  the  half-open  door  of  the 
kitchen.  "The  tall  trees  whisper,  whisper  heart 
to  heart,"  continued  the  girl,  all  unconscious  of 
the  alert  ear  at  the  door-casing. 

"From  my  fond  lips  the  eager  answers  fall — 
thinking — " 

A  pause,  as  Bess  stopped  to  glance  at  a  cook- 
book which  lay  on  a  table  just  before  her,  and 
into  her  song  was  woven,  "  ( 'three  eggs  well  beat- 
en') thinking  I  hear  thee  call." 

Then  she  closed  her  lips  and  softly  hummed 
the  air  as  she  was  vigorously  beating  a  cream 
mixture  in  a  huge  yellow  bowl. 

The  beautiful  picture  which  she  made  held 
the  eaves-dropper  entranced,  and  he  scarcely 
breathed  lest  his  presence  be  discovered  and  the 
charming  vision  be  gone. 

Bess  had  on  an  immense  blue  and  white  ging- 
ham apron,  the  sleeves  rolled  high  up  above  her 
dimpled  elbows,  exposing  the  creamy  white  of  the 
fore-arm.  A  line  of  tan  about  the  wrist  showed 
that  she  had  been  thoughtless  about  exposing  her 
hands  to  the  sun  and  wind.  A  big  floppy  bow  of 
black  ribbon  unsuccessfully  restrained  the  soft 
knot  of  hair  on  her  neck,  and  her  "forelock,"  as 
she  had  denominated  it,  lay  almost  directly  on 
her  nose,  all  snowy  white.  A  little  UD  conscious 
puff  at  the  obstruction  sent  a  tiny  white  cloud  of 
flour  into  the  air,  which  elicited  an  audible  smile 
from  the  figure  at  the  door-way.  Bess  quickly 
turned  and  faced  the  visitor. 

88 


THE   MIRACLE   OF   WOMANHOOD 

"Oh !  Mr.  Davis,  aren't  you  dreadful  to  star- 
tle one  so!  The  lady  of  the  house  is  out,"  she 
said  with  a  soft  Irish  twang  to  the  words,  "and 
'tis  against  the  rules  an'  regulations  of  this 
household  to  intertain  any  company  in  the 
kitchen."  She  artfully  caught  hold  of  either  side 
of  her  apron  and  made  a  sweeping  courtesy  to 
him. 

"Oh,  please  let  me  come  in,  little  girl;  I'm 
lonesome ;  I  have  n't  seen  you  for  three  days,  and 
now  you  would  drive  me  away." 

Davis  came  up  to  the  opposite  side  of  the 
table,  and  presented  such  a  pathetic,  pleading 
spectacle  that  Bess  relented  and  permitted  him  to 
be  seated.  Cautiously  he  sank  into  a  chair  and 
tenderly  rested  his  lame  foot  across  the  crutch. 
Bess  again  took  up  the  big  spoon  and  pounded 
away  vigorously  at  the  contents  in  the  yellow 
bowl,  trying  to  cover  her  confusion. 

It  is  trying,  at  best,  for  even  an  expert  in  the 
culinary  art,  to  be  closely  watched  while  en- 
grossed in  the  intricacies  of  mixing  a  cake;  but 
how  much  more  so,  when  a  girl  has  not  "tried  her 
luck"  for  months,  and  besides,  when  the  table;, 
the  floor,  the  apron,  her  face,  and  even  her  hair, 
bear  strong  circumstantial  evidence  that  the 
flour-sifter  had  leaked  profusely.  Furthermore, 
one  dismal  failure  was  spread  out  in  full,  accus- 
ing view  on  the  table  before  her.  Her  cheeks 
burned  with  brilliant  color,  and  her  brown  eyes 
flashed  half  nervously  and  half  defiantly  as  she 
wielded  the  spoon. 

"You  see,"  began  Bess,  in  an  explanatory 
voice,  "Mrs.  West  was  called  to  see  Mrs.  White, 


THE   BRAND 


who  is  quite  ill  at  Poison,  and  she  gave  me  full 
sway  in  the  kitchen  for  today.  Mary,  the  Indian 
woman,  is  on  a  protracted  visit  to  some  of  her 
relatives,  over  on  Dayton  Creek,  so  I  am  to  get 
the  meals.  It's  great  fun  to  come  into  the  kitchen 
and  cook  <just  for  today,'  but  I  do  not  think  I 
should  care  to  assume  the  responsibility  and  the 
thinkability  of  twenty-one  squares  a  week.  I 
don't  wonder  that  women  grow  desperately  tired 
of  unceasingly  hungry  people  to  keep  satisfied." 

On  chatted  the  girl  to  the  enthralled  listener, 
and  her  composure  returned. 

"Were  you  trying  to  put  your  head  in  the 
flour  barrel?"  laughingly  inquired  Davis,  as  he 
noted  the  white,  puffy  locks. 

"No,"  said  Bess,  assuming  a  dramatic  atti- 
tude. She  quoted, 

'My  hair  is  grey,  though  not  with  years, 
Nor  grew  it  white  in  a  single  night, 
As  men's  have  grown  from  sudden — ' 

"Oh,  say,"  she  cried,  abruptly,  "don't  you 
love  Lord  Byron's  poems !  The  Prisoner  of  Chil- 
lon,  Childe  Harold,  Mazeppa — only  that's  so 
cruel ! 

"You  see  this,"  she  changed  the  subject. 
"This  which  ought  to  be  a  delectation,"  pointing 
with  scornful  gesture  at  the  remnant  of  the 
burned  and  flattened  cake  before  her  on  the 
table;  and  then,  giving  her  latest  creation  an- 
other whack  or  two  before  putting  it  into  the 
baking-tin,  "but  it  is  only  an  abstraction  for 
which  Lord  Byron  is  to  blame.  I  had  that  book 

90 


THE   MIRACLE   OF   WOMANHOOD 

of  his  poems  open,  so  that  I  might  be  committing 
some  of  the  lines  while  occupied  in  stirring  the 
batter,  and  while  I  was  repeating, — "There  were 
seven  pillars  of  Gothic  mold — seven  pillars  of — 
why,  you  see,  I  put  seven  teaspoonsful  of  yeast 
powder  into  the  stuff  and  never  noticed  it  until 
I  had  opened  the  oven,  and  the  frothy,  foamy 
mass  went  sizz-z-z — and  hit  bottom." 

Davis  became  convulsed  at  her  narrative  and 
her  manner  of  relating  it. 

"Now,  sir;  please  do  not  move  nor  breathe  for 
forty  minutes,  and  I  will  show  you  a  triumph," 
commanded  Bess,  as  she  picked  up  the  utensils 
which  she  had  used  in  her  work. 

"If  I  may  speak,  ever  so  carefully,"  said 
Davis,  "I'd  like  to  tell  you  a  little  experience  I 
had  with  a  cake,  or  rather,  an  experience  of  an 
old  bachelor  friend  of  mine,  over  east  of  the 
range." 

"Do  go  on  !    I'm  sure  it  is  interesting !" 

"It  was  this  way :  Bill  had  been  living  all 
alone  on  his  sheep  ranch  over  there,  and  like 
many  western  men  who  live  lonely  lives,  was 
rather  out-spoken  and  uncouth,  altho'  true  as 
steel.  He  grew  tired  of  just  bacon  and  corn- 
dodgers for  grub,  so  he  decided  he'd  try  his  luck 
at  making  a  cake.  I  happened  to  be  riding  the 
range  that  clay  and  went  out  of  my  way  to  go 
over  and  say  'How'  to  Bill.  As  I  neared  the 
cabin  a  suspicious  odor  greeted  my  nostrils  sim- 
ultaneously with  Bill's  appearance  at  the  door. 
He  had  nearly  as  much  flour  over  him  as  you 
have  now,"  added  Davis,  facetiously. 

91 


THE   BRAND 


Bess  glanced  at  her  tell-tale  apron  and  folded 
it  across  her  lap  as  she  sat  on  a  low  stool  inter- 
ested in  the  cake  tale. 

"  'Hello,  Bill,'  I  called,  "what's  up?  Smells 
to  me  as  if  you  had  a  cook !  Been  getting  mar- 
ried and  didn't  send  me  a  card?'  I  said  to  him,  as 
if  in  earnest.  'Aw  hell,  no,  Dave,  this  haint  no 
fit  place  for  a  woman,  even  if  I  could  find  one 
who  would  have  such  an  onnery  cuss  as  I  am,'  he 
answered.  'Better  unsaddle  and  stop  for  grub; 
got  some  swell  dope  'bout  ready.  Come  in  pretty 
easy  though  'er  she'll  fall.' 

"Just  as  I  crossed  the  threshold  he  had  taken 
a  cautious  peep  into  the  tiny  oven.  As  he  lifted 
his  red  face  a  radiant  and  expectant  smile 
wreathed  his  seamy  mug,  and  mouth- juice 
trickled  down  either  side  of  his  chin,  anticipat- 
ing the  delight  to  be.  Presently  he  took  me  by 
the  arm,  lead  me  cautiously  over  to  the  stove  and 
opened  the  oven  to  let  me  see  what  it  contained. 
'A  cake,  by  thunder !'  he  said.  'Ain't  she  a  peach, 
Davy,  old  boy !  Look  at  her  foam  !  She  is  sure 
great  stuff — and — but — Gee!  She's — what's  it 
doing — it's — '  and  just  then  there  was  a  sizz-z-z 
— and  'she  struck  bottom.'  Bill's  face  fell  with 
the  cake  and  he  banged  the  door  with  a  venge- 
ance. For  a  moment  he  stood  with  his  hands 
thrust  into  his  pockets,  and  then  burst  out: — 
'Bake — damn  ye — we'll  eat  you  anyhow !'  'What 
seems  to  be  the  trouble  with  it,  Bill?'  I  asked  as 
consolingly  as  I  could  without  roaring.  'She 
ought  to  be  good — I  looked  in  the  receipt  book, 
and  the  first  thing  I  read  about  cakes  it  said — 
the  yelks  of  seven  aigs —  Sheep  don't  lay  no 

92 


THE   MIRACLE   OF   WOMANHOOD 

aigs,  so  I  shut  the  book  and  fixed  'er  up  to  suit 
myself.  I  put  in  plenty  of  sugar  and  baking- 
powder  and  plenty  of  corn-meal  to  give  'er  body. 
I  didn't  have  no  vanilly  or  lemon  flavor,  so  I  just 
put  in  a  squirt  of  Perry  Davis'  Pain  Killer,  and  I 
guess  that's  what  knocked  her  out.' ' 

"Did  you  eat  it?"  asked  Bess. 

"N — no ;  we  tried  to  scoop  out  the  middle,  but 
even  Bill  declined  and  said  he  guessed  he'd  flop 
her  over  and  bake  her  again  tomorrow." 

"Well,  this  time  mine  seems  to  be  all  right," 
remarked  Bess,  as  she  peered  into  the  oven. 

What  a  chat  the  two  were  having,  both  enjoy- 
ing it  greatly. 

"I  came  in  here  trying  to  find  Mrs.  West.  I 
am  going  away  this  afternoon  and  am  anxious  to 
make  a  settlement  with  her  before  leaving." 

"This  afternoon — you  are  going — away," 
asked  the  girl  in  a  tone  more  solicitous  than  she 
realized.  Davis  slowly  rose  from  his  chair  and 
hobbled  near  Bess,  standing  with  her  hands 
clasped  loosely  behind  her. 

"Yes — do  you  care?  Tell  me  you  care.  Tell 
me  you'll  miss  me,  little  girl,"  he  said,  with  a 
sudden  outburst  of  passion,  as  he  clasped  both 
the  girl's  hands  in  his  own  strong  hold.  He  bent 
his  head  low.  The  fragrance  from  her  hair  in- 
toxicated him  and  a  great  desire  seized  him  to 
clasp  her  in  his  arms. 

Bess,  frightened  at  his  unexpected  and  new 
attitude  toward  her,  for  a  moment  could  not 
move.  She  felt  his  breath  against  her  hair,  and 
heard  his  heart  as  it  beat  loudly.  She  felt  afraid 

93 


THE   BRAND 


to  move  lest  she  hurt  his  foot,  and  now  the  blood 
was  throbbing  in  her  throat  painfully.  The 
thought  flashed  through  her  mind  that  they  were 
alone  in  the  big  house,  and  even  could  she  have 
cried  out  for  some  one  to  come,  she  felt  that  it 
would  be  an  insult  to  the  man  near  her.  What 
had  she  to  fear? 

"Oh,  please !  Mr.  Davis,  you  hurt  my  hands. 
Let  me  go,  you  must,"  she  said  emphatically,  as 
she  wrestled  her  hands  free  and  turned  directly 
about.  With  a  bewildered  exclamation  she  put 
her  hand  to  her  cheek,  and  stared  with  wrinkled 
brow  at  the  man  who  was  standing  so  near  her. 
For  the  first  time  in  her  young  life  she  read  in 
a  man's  face  the  unspoken  words  of  passion  and 
love.  In  the  moment  she  stood  motionless  the 
veil  was  lifted  from  her  virgin  soul,  and  the  mir- 
acle of  womanhood  was  wrought!  Into  that 
brief  space  crowded  undreamed  dreams ;  new  and 
strange  insights,  wonderful  knowledge!  She 
felt  herself  grow  old,  as  all  these  strange  sensa- 
tions crowded  themselves  into  her  unsophisti- 
cated mind.  A  look  of  mingled  dismay,  unintel- 
ligibility  and  terror  crept  into  the  giri's  face,  as 
she  was  held  spell-bound  by  the  magnetic  voice 
of  the  man,  and  by  deep  glowing  eyes  that  held 
her  fascinated  against  her  will. 

He  drew  nearer  and  nearer  and  breathed  a 
torrent  of  passionate  love  into  her  ears.  His  face 
nearly  touched  hers,  and  she  was  wholly  unable 
to  move.  The  man  knew  that  he  was  the  first  one 
to  teach  her  of  passion  and  he  felt  an  exultant 
pride  of  possession,  already. 

"Don't  be  frightened,  little  one,"  he  said  to 
94 


THE  MIRACLE   OF  WOMANHOOD 

her  in  the  softest,  most  endearing  tone  he  could 
master.  "Cannot  you  understand  how  wonder- 
ful it  is  to  love  and  to  be  loved?  Let  me  teach 
you  all  it  means,  dear.  Let  me  tell  you  that  you 
are  essential  now  to  my  happiness  and  to  my 
very  existence.  You  all  unconsciously  have  made 
me  love  you — love  you,  till  I  cannot  breathe  with- 
out you.  Tell  me,  that  you  do  love  me.  Tell  me 
— tell  me,"  and  his  voice  sank  to  an  almost  in- 
audible, yet  imperative  whisper. 

"I — oh!  Please,  Mr.  Davis — I — do — not 
even  know  you.  Oh — do — not — please  do  not 
talk  so  to  me!"  her  husky  voice  trembled,  so 
choked  with  emotion  that  he  could  scarcely  un- 
derstand what  she  said. 

He  knew  it  would  be  sheer  temerity  to  press 
his  suit  further  for  the  present,  so  he  stroked  her 
hair  with  a  soft  caress,  and  said :  "Never  mind 
now,  dear;  think  of  all  I  have  said,  and  when  1 
come  again  you  will  understand.  Good-bye  now, 
for  I  shall  not  see  you  again  before  leaving,"  and 
giving  her  hair  another  gentle  touch,  he  adjusted 
his  crutch  and  left  the  room. 

Bess'  hands  fell  at  her  sides.  Amazed,  her 
eyes  followed  the  man  as  he  passed  through  the 
door-way.  All  her  senses  seemed  to  have  been 
dulled  by  the  recent  avowal  still  ringing  in  her 
ears.  She  was  lost  to  her  surroundings,  and 
stood  still  and  silent, 

"What's  burning,  Bess?"  called  Henry  West, 
as  he  stopped  at  the  outside  door  of  the  kitchen, 
while  passing.  Bess  was  brought  to  earth  with 
such  a  thud  that  she  clutched  at  her  heart  to 
stop  its  pounding.  Quickly  she  sprang  to  the 

95 


THE   BRAND 


oven  and  succeeded  in  partially  concealing  her 
confusion  by  peering  into  it  just  as  West  stepped 
into  the  room. 

"Rather  hot  work,  cooking,  isn't  it?"  he  ven- 
tured, unsuspectingly,  as  the  girl  lifted  her  scar- 
let face  to  him. 

"Dear  me — it  is  nearly  burned!  I  forgot — 
everything!"  she  said  disconnectedly  as  she 
snatched  the  cake  from  the  stove  and  placed  it 
on  the  table. 

"Oh !  it's  hot !"  she  exclaimed,  as  she  stuck  her 
finger  into  her  mouth :  then  looking  at  it  she  saw 
a  large,  white  blister  swelling  upon  the  tender 
skin. 

West  saw  at  once  that  she  had  burned  her 
hand  and  hastily  applied  some  soda  to  relieve  the 
pain.  With  tender  care  he  wrapped  it  up,  and 
when  the  smarting  had  ceased,  told  Bess  he 
would  help  her  to  get  the  meal. 

She  was  still  ill  at  ease,  and  the  incident  of  a 
few  moments  ago  kept  asserting  itself  in  little 
spasms  that  would  make  her  catch  her  breath. 
In  her  ears  kept  ringing  the  echo  of  Davis'  burn- 
ing words,  and  she  longed  to  flee  to  her  room,  to 
be  alone,  to  think — to  think — to  cry.  She  surely 
would  cry — she  felt  tears  coming. 

"Oh,  Henry — I  can't  stay — I  want  to  go  to — 
my — ,"  but  by  this  time  the  flood-gates  of  pent 
up  feelings  had  opened  wide,  and  with  tears 
streaming  down  her  cheeks  she  fled  to  the  silence 
and  comfort  of  her  own  dear  room. 

"Poor  little  girl;  she  is  nervous  trying  to  do 
so  much  this  morning,"  soliloquized  Henry,  draw- 
ing off  his  coat  and  tying  on  a  large  apron.  He 

96 


THE  MIRACLE   OF   WOMANHOOD 

then  began  to  make  preparations  for  the  noon- 
day meal. 

Just  then,  up  the  road  leading  to  the  house, 
drove  one  of  the  Indian  police  with  a  comfort- 
able conveyance.  By  the  time  he  could  reach  the 
porch,  Davis,  who  had  been  watching  the  ar- 
rival, was  already  there  dressed  to  go  away. 

"May  I  be  of  any  service,"  asked  Henry 
West,  with  civility. 

"Thank  you.  The  man  will  fetch  down  my 
things." 

West  walked  out  to  hold  the  horses  while  the 
minor  preparations  were  going  on,  and  helped 
Davis  to  a  comfortable  position  in  the  rig. 

"I  am  sorry  not  to  have  seen  your  mother  be- 
fore leaving.  Please  tell  her  I  shall  be  over  here 
again,  as  soon  as  possible,  to — to — remunerate 
her  for  all  the  inconvenience  to  which  I  have 
placed  her,"  said  Davis;  and  then,  without  fur- 
ther addressing  West,  ordered  the  man  to  start. 

West  stood  for  several  moments  watching 
the  departure;  the  only  emotion  which  he  be- 
trayed being  a  convulsive  closing  of  his  hands 
and  eves. 


97 


CHAPTER  XII 

AN  INDIAN  IN  THE  MOONLIGHT 

When  Mrs.  West  returned  to  the  ranch  in 
the  evening,  she  sought  Bess  in  her  room  to 
learn  of  her  experience  in  the  culinary  depart- 
ment during  the  day.  As  she  tapped  at  the  door 
and  softly  entered,  a  dejected,  dishevelled  and 
tear-stained  figure  arose  and  flung  her  arms 
about  the  "little  Mother." 

Impulsively  and  swiftly  she  poured  into  Mrs. 
West's  astonished  ears  all  that  had  transpired 
that  morning,  and  when  she  had  finished,  she 
said,  "Why,  little  Mother,  I  love  so  much  al- 
ready, I  cannot  find  room  for  any  more.  I  love 
you — I  love  James — the  birds — the  grass  and 
flowers !  I  love  the  mountains  and  the  wonder- 
ful lake!  I  love  my  music — my  books  and  my 
pictures!  I  love  Mauchacho — I  love  babies — 
and  dogs.  Where  is  there  room  for  any  more?" 

Then  Mrs.  West  led  her  to  a  seat,  and  taking 
both  the  girl's  hands  into  her  own,  told  her  that 
the  love  of  all  these  things  was  so  entirely  dif- 
ferent from  the  love  she  would  one  day  under- 
stand, that  they  would  be  crowded  out  and  set 
apart  when  her  heart  was  ready  to  receive  the 
great  and  inevitable  passion. 

"But  I  do  think,  dear,  that  Major  Davis  was 
rather  premature  in  his  announcement.  Per- 
haps selfishness  prompted  him,  and  he  spoke  be- 
fore leaving  you  lest  someone  else  would  try  to 


AN  INDIAN  IN  THE  MOONLIGHT 


teach  my  little  girl  life's  most  wonderful  and 
most  beautiful  lesson.  He  need  not  have  been 
so  anxious,  however,  as  there  are  no  eligible 
young  men  near  here,  except  perhaps  my  own 
son."  After  a  slight  pause  she  added,  "But  he 
is — he  is — only  an  Indian !" 

"Oh,  little  Mother!  What  difference  need 
that  make!  He  has  the  whitest  heart!  That  is 
his  greatest  innate  quality,  the  one  which 
prompts  him  to  be  a—man!  God  does  not  make 
any  discrimination  between  him  and  me;  why 
should  insignificant  /  presume  to." 

Impulsively  Bess  threw  her  arms  about  Mrs. 
West's  neck,  and  looked  deeply  into  her  eyes. 
For  a  moment,  neither  could  say  a  word,  and 
when  Mrs.  West  assumed  control  of  her  voice 
she  said:  "My  dear  child — thank  you  for  your 
sympathy;  it  helps  so  much.  But,  there  is  all 
the  world — outside  there,  who  do  not  under- 
stand as  you  do,  dear;  who  do  not  feel  as  you 
feel;  who — ,"  but  she  could  say  no  more. 

"Come,  little  Mother,  let  us  go  out  by  the 
lake  and  Avatch  the  moon  rise.  We  each  need 
God  and  nature  tonight." 

As  they  passed  through  the  hall- way  Bess 
gently  placed  a  light  shawl  about  Mrs.  West's 
shoulders,  and  taking  a  wrap  for  herself,  to- 
gether they  went  out  into  the  night. 

As  she  passed  the  door  of  the  living-room  she 
saw  Henry  reclining  on  a  cozy  couch  and  knew, 
from  the  listless  manner  in  which  he  held  a 
book,  that  he  had  fallen  asleep.  Over  his  knees 
was  spread  a  bright-colored  Navajo  blanket. 

99 


THE   BRAND 


Together  they  walked,  their  hands  clasped  in 
loving  pressure.  Bess  knew  where  a  log,  shel- 
tered from  any  passing  breeze,  commanded  a 
splendid  view  of  both  the  lake  and  the  moun- 
tains. It  was  quite  a  little  walk  from  the  house, 
and  gladly  Mrs.  West  seated  herself  to  recover 
her  breath. 

The  scene  was  too  beautiful  to  be  marred  by 
idle  words,  and  each  felt  that  to  speak  would  be 
sacrilegious.  All  about  them  was  the  purple 
twilight,  deep  and  silent, — immeasurable  silence 
everywhere,  except  where  the  tiny  waves 
splashed  against  a  rock,  or  a  tall  pine  whispered 
a  tender  sigh  to  a  near-by  tamarack.  Myriads  of 
quivering  stars  hung  balanced  in  the  far-off  sky, 
and  occasionally  one  shot  out  across  the  illimit- 
able space,  with  a  tiny  trail  of  light,  which  sud- 
denly became  extinguished  as  if  it  had  sunk  into 
the  sea.  By  this  symbol,  the  shooting  star,  the 
world  might  know  a  soul  had  been  released  and 
found  its  way  to  heaven.  Mrs.  West  reverently 
crossed  herself,  and  Bess  gave  the  hand  a  pres- 
sure of  understanding. 

"Bess,  dear,  I  fear  I  am  growing  chilly.  It 
will  be  some  time  before  the  moon  shows  over  the 
hills.  We  better  go  indoors/1 

"Please,  little  Mother,  let  me  remain  a  little 
while.  I  shall  not  be  afraid.  Why !  I  have  been 
here  several  times  alone  before!  All  I  have 
thought  of  is  the  stars!  There  are  so  many 
things  I  must  think  of  before  I  could  go  to  sleep. 
That's  a  dear — let  me  stay,"  she  concluded  in 
such  an  entreaty  that  Mrs.  West  allowed  herself 
to  be  gently  turned  toward  the  house. 

100 


AN  INDIAN  IN  THE  MOONLIGHT 

Bess  stood  watching  till  the  retreating  figure 
became  fainter  and  fainter  and  was  swallowed  jn 
the  gloom  of  the  willows  near  the  spring. 

She  was  alone — alone  with  the  stars,  the  sea 
— the  moon.  Alone  with  all  the  new  and  strange 
emotions  which  she  had  learned  this  day! 
"Hurry,  oh,  moon !  Come  over  the  tops,  to  help 
me  to  think !  To  give  me  light !  To  teach  me  to 
know  and  to  understand !"  shje  prayed. 

The  sky  grew  brighter,  the  rough  and  rugged 
tips  of  the  mountains  softened  and  glowed  with 
luminous  silvery  light,  and  the  tiny  ripples  on 
the  lake  caught  the  half -shed  radiance,  glisten- 
ing like  millions  of  jewels.  The  girl  drew  her 
wrap  snugly  about  her  and  sinking  into  a  seat 
on  a  rock  with  her  back  against  the  huge  log, 
drew  her  knees  up  so  that  her  chin  rested  against 
them  on  her  clasped  hands.  Her  ears  rang  with 
the  words  they  had  heard  in  the  morning — "I 
love  you — you  made  me  love  you !"  till  she  knew 
no  other  thought. 

"Yes,  but  how  can  anyone  know — know, 
when  they  really  love !  How  is  one  to  be  sure — 
sure — sure!''  The  girFs  thoughts  thronged. 
"All  love  seems  to  me  the  same !  The  degree  may 
vary,  but  it  all  feels  the  same!  How  am  I  to 
know  when  T  possess  that  other  kind !  Dear  me, 
what's  the  use  of  trying  to  love  any  more  when 
my  heart  is  too  crowded  already !  No — I  guess 
I  won't  try — won't  even  try  to  love  you,  Mr. 
Davis."  She  straightened  with  a  relieved  sigh. 

Just  then,  the  moon,  fair,  round  and  full, 
shot  up  over  the  crests,  and  all  the  world  was 
filled  with  beautiful,  silvery  light.  One  could 

101 


THE   BRAND 


distinguish  the  greens  of  the  pines  and  firs  as 
well  as  the  browns  and  greys  of  the  rocks.  Even 
the  girl's  dress  showed  a  softest  pink  in  the  ten- 
der moonlight.  How  glorious  it  was !  The  lake 
looked  like  the  sea  as  it  stretched  across  the 
miles  to  the  far  shore.  The  mountains  towered 
loftily  into  the  vault  of  heaven.  The  quietude  of 
the  forests,  as  the  gigantic  monarchs  bathed  in 
the  glowing  light.  And  above  all,  to  be,  to 
breathe,,  to  live  amongst  all  this  sublimity  of 
beauty.  How  glorious  it  all  is!  What  more 
could  one  wish?  What  more  could  one  love? 
AVhat  need  of  any  other  kind  of  love?  On — on 
ran  the  thoughts  of  the  girl,  all  unconscious 
physically,  save  to  the  wonder  of  the  night. 

A  movement  behind  her,  caused  her  to  turn 
her  head  quickly.  She  smothered  a  cry  of  fear 
as  she  saw  approaching  through  the  trees,  a  tall 
form  closely  wrapped  in  a  brightly-colored  blan- 
ket. How  clearly  she  could  distinguish  the  col- 
ors as  the  man  came  from  the  shadows  out  into 
the  brilliant  moon-light.  Bess  held  her  breath 
and  did  not  move  as  the  man  stopped  and  looked 
searchingly  about.  Silently  he  stood;  then  sud- 
denly flinging  out  his  arms  and  lifting  his  face 
to  the  witchery  of  the  moon,  the  blanket  fell  off 
his  shoulders  to  the  ground  about  him  and  re- 
vealed Henry  West. 

What  a  picture  he  made !  His  upturned  face, 
silhoutted  against  the  trees,  seemed  in  a  halo  of 
light — the  arms  lifted  in  an  appeal  to  the  sky. 
The  garb  of  the  white  man  enshrouded  him,  the 
robe  of  the  Indian  lay  at  his  feet.  Slowly  he 
passed  his  hands  across  his  brow  with  a  despair- 

102 


AN  INDIAN  IN  THE  MOONLIGHT 

ing  gesture,  and  held  them  over  his  eyes,  as  if 
they  could  no  longer  endure  the  lovely,  if  love- 
less, night. 

When  the  object  of  her  alarm  had  vanished, 
Bess  startled  West  by  springing  quickly  to  the 
top  of  the  log  and  saying:  "Oh,  Henry!  How 
you  frightened  me!  When  I  saw  you  stalking 
through  the  trees  I  thought  it  was  an  In — !" 
Quickly  as  she  checked  herself,  she  was  not  quick 
enough,  for  West  ended  her  sentence  for  her. 

"Indian !  So  I  was — see,  lying  here  at  my 
feet !" 

He  stooped  and  picked  up  the  Navajo  blanket 
which  he  had  hastily  caught  off  the  couch  and 
wrapped  about  him  when  his  mother  awakened 
him. 

He  quietly  walked  over  to  the  girl  standing 
on  the  log,  nonchalantly  enfolded  himself  in  the 
blanket,  crossed  it  over  his  face  to  his  eyes,  and 
for  a  moment  stood  motionless.  Bess  placed  her 
fingers  against  her  parted  lips  as  if  to  keep  back 
any  idle  words. 

"Sometimes — sometimes — -now,  I  wish  all  I 
knew  was  how  to  wrap  my  blanket  about  me!" 
he  said,  with  effort.  "The  great  outside  world 
does  not  want  me,  cannot  understand  me.  What 
need  or  comfort  are  the  things  which  the  world 
has  taught  me,  when  after  all,  my  winding-sheet 
will  be  but  a  blanket?  What  right  has  the  world 
to  give  me  a  desire  for  knowledge,  a  taste  of 
heaven,  an  understanding  of  the  past,  a  dread  of 
the  future,  and  then  hold  up  its  hands  to  say, 
'You  are  still  an  Indian.'  " 

Again  he  let  the  blanket  drop  at  his  feet  and 
103 


THE   BRAND 


stood  gazing  into  the  moon,  while  written  on  his 
face  were  despair  and  longing  and  resignation. 
A  chord  in  the  girl's  heart  was  touched  at  the 
sight  of  the  strong  man  before  her,  and  it  was  set 
attune  to  the  one  which  had  been  awakened  in 
the  churchyard,  where  she  once  before  saw  his 
misery.  She  sprang  lightly  to  the  ground,  picked 
up  the  blanket  and  placed  it  again  about  his 
shoulders. 

"I  like  to  see  you  so.  You  are  too  often  sad, 
Henry.  Tell  me  something  I  may  do  to  make 
you  happy.  Tell  me!"  Bess  entreated. 

West  stood  looking  at  her  for  a  moment,  the 
shadow  of  a  fleeing  cloud  hiding  the  love-light 
which  shone  in  his  dark  eyes,  then  said:  "You 
placed  my  blanket  about  me,  that's  enough. 
Mother  is  anxious  about  you,  Bess,  and  sent  me 
to  bring  you  into  the  house.  Come — one  may 
have  too  much  moon  you  know." 


104 


CHAPTEK  XIII 

A  FRANTIC  HERD 

The  next  morning  at  breakfast,  Henry  West 
told  his  mother  that  he  was  going  to  meet  James 
Fletcher  and  six  of  his  cowboys,  over  at  the  fer- 
ry, as  they  came  with  a  bunch  of  steers  from  the 
range  about  the  Big  Arm.  Then  they  would 
drive  them  South  to  Selish,  where  they  were  to 
be  loaded  and  shipped  to  a  large  stock  ranch  in 
Wyoming,  to  a  man  whose  winter  loss  had  been 
great. 

Bess  became  at  once  deeply  interested  in  the 
affair,  and  asked  if  she  might  go  over  to  the  fer- 
ry with  him  to  witness  the  feat  of  swimming  the 
bunch  across  the  Pend  d'Oreille. 

"I  am  going  to  have  half  a  dozen  Indians 
take  cattle  across  the  river,  and  the  boys  will 
cross  on  the  ferry  with  their  horses  so  that  they 
will  be  in  shape  to  continue  with  the  drive. 
Otherwise  they  would  all  be  delayed  by  getting 
into  dry  clothing,"  explained  West.  "Yes,  you 
and  Mother  both  come.  It  will  be  quite  a  novel 
sight,  for  you,  at  least,  Bess." 

The  girl  was  delighted  and  hastened  to  help 
straighten  up  the  house,  so  that  Mrs.  West  might 
go  also.  She  stopped  a  moment  in  her  task,  as 
she  watched  West  get  into  his  riding  togs.  The 
heavily  fringed  leathern  chapps,  the  belt,  with 
its  cartridges  and  gun,  the  spurs  and  quirt  were 

105 


THE   BRAND 


all  quickly  and  deftly  adjusted  by  the  experi- 
enced hand. 

"Let  me  tie  that  for  you/'  suggested  Bess,  as 
Henry  fumbled  with  his  white  silk  'kerchief,  try- 
ing to  fasten  it  about  his  throat  without  remov- 
ing his  gloves  which  he  had  already  drawn  on  his 
hands.  She  tucked  the  dish-towel  which  she  had 
been  using  under  her  arm,  and  standing  on  her 
tip-toes,  tied  the  handkerchief  about  his  neck. 

As  her  soft,  dainty  fingers  touched  his  throat 
he  closed  his  eyes  to  shut  out  the  sight  of  the 
sweet  girl  so  near  him  lest  they  reveal  the  ex- 
quisite pain  which  thrilled  his  whole  being.  He 
gripped  his  hands  together  behind  him,  fearing, 
in  spite  of  himself,  they  would  snatch  her  to  him 
and  crush  her  in  an  embrace.  Through  his  closed 
teeth  he  said,  "Hurry,  Bess,7'  for  fear  he  should 
yet  lose  control  of  himself;  and  once  the  flood- 
gates of  his  passion  be  opened,  there  would  be  no 
pause  till  he  had  poured  out  all  the  longings  and 
hopes  and  desires  of  his  very  soul.  He  knew  the 
girl  was  entirely  ignorant  and  unsuspicious  of 
his  love  for  her,  and  he  did  not  dare  frighten  her 
by  a  confession,  for  fear  the  consequences  might 
deprive  him  of  even  the  comfort  of  being  near 
her  and  seeing  and  hearing  her. 

"Oh,"  said  Bess,  as  she  gave  him  a  saucy  tap 
on  the  cheek,  "can't  you  stand  still  a  moment! 
Now  see,  you  have  undone  it.  Really,  you  are 
more  impatient  to  start  than  Mauchacho  usu- 
ally is." 

"Give  it  a  half-hitch,  Bess,  and  call  it  fixed," 
said  West,  as  he  backed  away  from  the  girl  to 
free  himself  from  her  delicious  touch.  Snatch- 

106 


A  FRANTIC  HERD 


ing  his  sombrero  and  starting  for  the  door,  he 
continued:  "You  and  Mother  be  at  the  ferry 
within  an  hour.  One  of  the  men  will  saddle  your 
horses  for  you.  Good-bye.7'  Then  hastily  re- 
turning, as  if  he  had  forgotten  an  important 
item  he  called :  "Oh  say,  Bess !  How  about  your 
gun  practice?  Are  you  improving  any?" 

"Do  you  know,  Henry,  that  the  last  time  I 
tried,  I  only  had  to  hold  one  eye  shut,  and  once  I 
nearly  hit  the  mark !" 

"Nearly — how  nearly?"  laughed  West.  "Ee- 
member,  when  you  can  shoot  with  both  eyes  open 
and  hit  the  bull's-eye  three  times  in  succession, 
then — then  you  are  to  have  the  38  Smith  and 
Wesson,  you  know." 

With  that  he  was  gone  to  the  gate,  touched 
his  foot  in  the  stirrup,  sprang  with  the  agility 
of  a  cat  into  the  saddle  and  started  off  quickly. 
Just  then,  however,  Bess  noticed  that  he  had 
dropped  his  handkerchief,  and  saw  the  rider 
swing  his  horse  quickly  about,  drop  low  over  the 
side  of  the  saddle,  snatch  the  handkerchief  from 
the  ground,  resume  his  position  in  the  saddle  and 
gallop  on  as  though  it  were  no  feat  at  all.  She 
cried  out  in  her  astonishment,  so  that  Mrs.  West 
came  hurriedly  in  to  learn  the  cause  of  her 
alarm.  When  Bess  told  her  what  she  had  just 
witnessed,  Mrs.  West  smiled,  and  explained  that 
at  the  July  celebration  she  would  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  see  some  really  wonderful  feats  in  rid- 
ing. 

"Henry  told  me  just  now  that  I  must  hurry 
to  win  the  new  gun  he  promised  me,"  said  Bess, 
as  she  and  Mrs.  West  hurried  about,  finishing 

107 


THE    BRAND 


the  breakfast  work.  "Do  you  know,"  continued 
the  girl,  "it  seems  to  me  I  would  be  very  con- 
spicuous with  a  gun  stuck  into  my  belt.  James 
and  Henry  both  agree  that  if  I  insist  upon  going 
about  alone  with  my  horse,  that  I  must  have  a 
gun." 

"Yes,  dear,  one  cannot  tell  what  unexpected 
danger  might  arise.  A  drunken  Indian,  or  an  in- 
furiated steer,  or  even  a  rattlesnake  may  molest 
one,  and  the  boys  are  wise  in  insisting,"  answered 
Mrs.  West. 

At  first,  when  Henry  West  brought  out  the 
22  rifle  to  give  Bess  her  first  lesson,  she  ran  be- 
hind a  tree  and  thrust  her  fingers  in  her  ears. 
After  a  little  she  would  pull  the  trigger  with 
both  eyes  shut  tight,  if  he  would  hold  the  gun. 
At  length  she  submitted  to  having  it  placed 
against  her  shoulder  and  to  holding  it  unas- 
sisted. 

"Oh,  Bess !  Don't  be  such  a  baby,"  said  her 
brother  to  her  one  day,  as  she  was  trying  to  over- 
come her  aversion  to  shooting  the  22.  Instantly 
her  eyes  looked  daggers  at  the  boys;  snatching 
the  gun,  she  thrust  it  up  against  her  shoulder, 
pulled  the  trigger  and  banged  away !  When  she 
opened  her  eyes  she  saw  James  peering  from  be- 
hind one  tree  and  Henry  from  another.  Both 
were  smiling  at  her  impetuosity,  but  James  then 
and  there  told  her  that  the  first  essential  was  to 
handle  a  weapon  carefully. 

"That  is  all  right !  But  don't  you  call  me  a 
baby  again !  I'll  beat  you  shooting  yet !  See  if 
I  don't !"  flung  back  the  girl. 

During  the  next  week,  while  the  boys  were  at 
108 


A  FRANTIC  HERD 


Selish  with  the  shipment  of  steers,  Bess  prac- 
ticed with  the  little  rifle  at  every  opportunity, 
and  her  progress  was  marked  indeed. 

"Mauchacho  is  feeling  gay  this  morning, 
Bess,"  said  Mrs.  West,  as  she  and  the  girl  mount- 
ed and  started  for  the  ferry  at  Poison.  The 
dainty  horse  shook  his  head  and  side-stepped 
first  one  way  and  then  the  other.  He  seemed  to 
know  and  feel  that  he  carried  a  graceful  rider, 
and  was  doing  these  little  extra  steps  to  add  to 
the  charming  picture. 

Bess'  lithe  body  swung  to  each  new  antic,  and 
the  ruddy  glow  of  health  on  her  cheeks  told  how 
keen  was  the  enjoyment. 

"My !  how  dearly  I  love  to  feel  a  horse  under 
me!"  she  cried  as  she  leaned  forward  to  smooth 
a  strand  in  the  horse's  mane.  "It  seems  to  me 
that  I  shall  hate  ever  having  to  go  on  wheels 
again." 

Mrs.  West  rode  like  one  thoroughly  accus- 
tomed to  the  saddle,  erect  and  well  poised,  with 
her  right  arm  clinging  down  by  her  side,  and  the 
reins  held  firmly  up  in  the  left.  She,  too,  rode 
astride,  and  her  eyes  were  bright  with  as  keen 
an  enjoyment  as  the  happy  girl's  by  her  side. 

"It  does  put  new  life  into  one,  dear,  to  be  on 
a  horse,"  responded  the  older  woman.  "I  have 
not  had  a  ride  for  ever  so  long,  and  this  is  surely 
a  delight." 

Just  as  they  reached  Poison  they  could  see 
on  the  opposite  shore  of  the  river  several  cow- 
boys and  half  a  dozen  Indians  driving  some  fifty 
or  sixty  head  of  cattle.  The  water  in  the  lake 
was  still  very  high, — in  fact  it  had  risen  two  feet 

109 


THE   BRAND 


since  the  day  before,  and  now  came  pouring  into 
the  river,  its  outlet,  with  terrific  speed.  The  roar 
of  the  falls  about  a  half-mile  below  the  ferry  was 
distinctly  heard,  and  told  of  the  immense  volume 
of  water  which  was  pouring  and  bounding  over 
the  huge  rocks  and  precipice. 

Henry  West  was  watching  with  a  troubled 
face  the  foaming  stream  and  the  reluctant  herd 
on  the  opposite  side.  Bess  saw  her  brother  sig- 
nal the  cowboys  to  cross  on  the  waiting  ferry, 
and  then  instruct  the  Indians  at  which  point  to 
swim  the  cattle  and  their  ponies  across.  The 
water  was  icy  cold,  and  with  greatest  effort  and 
urging  were  the  steers  forced  into  the  stream. 
Such  shouts,  and  yelling,  and  riding  and  driv- 
ing! Finally  the  last  steer  was  driven  into  the 
water  as  some  of  the  others  were  already  nearly 
half-way  across.  The  Indians  had  flung  off  their 
blankets,  and  with  wild  and  wierd  shouts, 
plunged  their  horses  into  the  water.  The  snorts 
of  the  reluctant  animals  mingled  with  the  song 
that  went  up  from  the  bucks.  How  the  cattle 
fought  against  the  current  which  bore  them  down 
stream !  How  the  ponies  worked,  with  their  bur- 
dens now  swimming  alongside  and  clinging  to 
their  manes!  How  the  Indians  shouted  now  to 
the  horses,  now  to  the  cattle,  and  again  to  each 
other!  A  laugh,  almost  hideous  in  its  bravado, 
rent  the  air,  and  again  the  song  of  courage  could 
be  heard  above  all  the  confusion. 

Bess  was  wild  with  excitement.  She  was  re- 
lieved to  see  James  on  the  ferry  crossing  with  the 
cowboys  and  their  horses.  She  looked  for  Henry 
West  and  discovered  him  far  down  on  the  bank 

110 


A  FRANTIC  HERD 


at  about  the  place  where  the  herd  would  come 
out.  He  paced  up  and  down  with  anxiety,  and 
the  girl  could  feel  his  care.  The  first  of  the  cat- 
tle had  already  gained  the  land,  and  another — 
another.  Look!  there  was  one  which  seemed  to 
be  losing  wind  and  was  being  borne  downward 
by  the  current.  Instantly  the  animal  was  seen 
by  an  Indian,  who,  in  his  effort  to  head  off  the 
course,  loosened  his  grip  on  his  pony's  mane  and 
snatched  frantically  for  the  floating  tail.  He 
grasped  it,  but  not  firmly  enough,  and  soon  was 
swimming  alone. 

"Come  straight  ahead,"  called  West  to  the 
now  dazed  Indian.  The  rest,  with  their  ponies 
and  the  steers,  were  clambering  up  the  steep  in- 
cline of  the  bank  and  were  entirely  oblivious  to 
the  danger  of  their  companion,  their  bodies,  all 
dripping,  gleaming  like  burnished  copper  in  the 
dazzling  sunshine.  Springing  upon  their  ponies 
they  rode  hurriedly  to  the  approaching  ferry,  to 
wrap  their  naked  bodies  in  the  blankets  which 
Fletcher  was  bringing  across.  Only  West  was 
conscious  of  the  peril  of  the  one  Indian,  except 
those  on  the  ferry  who  had  seen  the  struggle, 
and  Bess,  who  had  ridden  Mauchacho  down  to 
where  West  was  standing.  He  kept  urging  and 
exhorting  the  swimmer,  who  was  constantly 
gaining  and  nearing  the  shore.  Bess  noticed  that 
West  had  removed  his  chapps  and  coat,  as  if  pre- 
paring to  go  to  the  assistance  of  the  man  in  the 
water. 

"If  it  were  not  so  icy  cold  he'd  make  it  all 
right,"  said  West,  unaware  of  the  girl  dismount- 
ing near  him.  In  the  next  instant  he  had  jerked 

111 


THE   BRAND 


off  his  boots,  flung  his  sombrero  at  Bess'  feet  and 
plunged  into  the  foaming  water  some  thirty  feet 
further  down  the  stream  than  where  the  Indian 
was. 

"Don't,"  shrieked  Bess,  but  all  too  late,  for 
he  was  already  swimming  with  long  measured 
strokes  toward  the  now  exhausted  man.  Oh! 
would  he  reach  the  spot  in  time?  Could  he  force 
his  strength  against  the  current  and  save  the  In- 
dian from  being  carried  onto  the  Falls  and 
dashed  to  pieces  on  the  rocks?  Bess  held  her 
breath  as  she  watched. 

Like  a  flash  she  saw  his  arm  shoot  out  and 
firmly  catch  the  Indian  by  one  of  his  long  braids ! 
Now  he  was  turning,  now  swimming  back  with 
his  burden!  By  this  time  the  excited  men 
reached  the  spot  and  watched  the  rescue. 

"You  bet— West'll  fetch  him !"  "Sure— he's 
great  in  the  water!"  "Here  they  are  now!" 
"Keep'er  up,  old  boy,  you're  coming!"  Bess 
heard  on  all  sides.  James  stood  near,  white-faced 
and  trembling,  lest  at  the  last  moment  West's  al- 
most Herculean  strength  might  desert  him. 
Now  he  would  surely  make  it !  Together  James 
and  Bess  stretched  forth  their  hands  as  if  to  help 
West  through  the  last  few  feet  of  water.  When 
his  feet  touched  the  earth  and  he  struggled  with 
his  now  unconscious  burden,  he  gasped, 

"I'm  all  right.    See  to  the  other  man !" 

Bess  looked  at  Henry's  drawn  and  anxious 
face,  and  tears  rushed  into  her  eyes. 

"Never  mind,  little  girl,  it's  over  now,"  he 
said  softly,  touched  by  her  solicitude;  and  in- 

112 


A  FRANTIC  HERD 


stantly  flung  all  his  savagery  at  the  coAvboy  who 
ventured : 

"You're  a  damn  fool,  West,  to  risk  your  life 
for  just  an  old  Indian !" 

"He — he  is  my  brother !"  retorted  West,  with 
eyes  that  might  have  killed  with  their  intense 
fire. 

Bess  hastened  away  to  seek  Mrs.  West,  and 
was  relieved  to  find  that  she  had  not  known  of 
the  danger  her  son  had  been  in. 

"Get  the  bunch  started,  James,"  said  West, 
"and  I'll  join  you  where  we  take  up  the  rest  of 
the  herd." 

It  was  evening  on  the  following  day,  when 
the  weary  herd,  urged  by  the  still  wearier  men 
and  horses,  came  to  the  foot  of  the  hill  near  the 
shipping  place.  The  dust  raised  by  the  hoofs  of 
two  hundred  steers  was  suffocating,  and  the  cow- 
boys congratulated  themselves  that  plenty  of 
water  and  "grub"  were  in  sight. 

The  drive  had  been  without  incident  or  acci- 
dent, and  West  was  silently  commending  the 
good  judgment  of  his  foreman.  By  constant 
shouting,  urging  and  driving  the  steers  gained 
the  summit  of  the  hill  and  began  to  descend. 
West  saw  a  long  freight  train  standing  on  the 
tracks  ready  to  start,  and  he  became  filled  with 
trepidation  for  fear  the  wild  creatures  would  be- 
come frightened,  and  serious  consequences  might 
follow. 

They  reached  the  flat  near  the  corrals.  West 
breathed  a  sigh  of  relief  when  suddenly  the  en- 
gine gave  two  long,  shrill  whistles!  The  hills 

113 


THE   BRAND 


caught  the  sound  and  hurled  it  back  and  forth 
again  and  again,  as  if  the  very  fiends  of  the  moun- 
tains were  exultant  at  the  terror  of  the  dumb 
beasts!  With  a  snort  every  head  and  tail  went 
up;  all  seemed  possessed  with  the  instinct  of 
flight  from  some  dreadful  danger.  Wheeling, 
they  plunged  up  the  steep  hill-side.  Every  man 
knew  instantly  what  to  do.  Three  sent  their 
spurs  into  the  tired  horses  and  urged  them  up 
the  hill  to  head  off  the  bellowing,  frenzied  herd. 
The  horses  intuitively  knew  that  there  was 
trouble,  and  were  filled  with  new  vim.  With  red 
nostrils  and  wet  flanks,  out  of  breath  they  gained 
the  position  and  successfully  turned  the  terrified 
animals  again  down  the  hill.  On  they  jrushed, 
snorting,  bellowing,  plunging,  completely  en- 
veloped in  a  cloud  of  dust.  West  and  Fletcher 
rode  on  to  head  them  off,  and  now  saw,  as  the 
dust  subsided  a  little,  that  the  wild  things  had 
begun  already  to  go  'round  and  round/  If  they 
should  now  get  to  milling,  doubtless  many  of 
them  would  be  crushed  to  death ! 

Fletcher,  seeing  an  opening,  made  a  desper- 
ate attempt  to  take  it,  but  his  wise  pony  wheeled, 
but  not  quickly  enough  to  evade  the  scratch  of  a 
sharp  horn.  West,  with  a  merciless  dig  of  the 
spur  that  caused  the  blood  to  spurt  from  the 
horse's  side,  made  it  leap  clear  off  the  ground 
and  come  down  on  four  stiffened  legs  in  the  only 
open  space  among  the  steers.  Practiced  rider 
tho'  he  was,  he  bounded  high  in  the  air,  losing 
his  hat  and  nearly  losing  the  saddle.  With 
swinging  lariats,  with  hoarse  shouts,  with  shots 
and  yells,  at  last  the  circling  herd  were  checked 

114 


A  FRANTIC  HERD 


and  slowly  began  to  fall  into  line  and  through 
the  openings  into  the  corrals.  When  the  last 
steer  was  safely  behind  the  strong  enclosure  of 
the  stockyards,  West  turned  to  his  foreman  with 
a  face  that  showed  desperate  determination 
through  the  grime  of  dust  and  perspiration. 

"You  better  go  with  the  boys  and  get  ready 
for  supper.  I  have  a  little  matter  of  business  to 
attend  to  first."  Turning  to  the  others,  lifting 
his  bare  head  high,  and  with  a  look  of  approval 
in  his  flashing  eyes,  he  said,  "Boys,  you  have 
proven  yourselves  equal  to  any  occasion!  I'm 
proud  of  each  one  of  you !" 

He  waited  till  the  cheers  and  waving  hats  of 
the  cowboys  had  subsided,  waited  till  he  saw 
them  lead  the  horses,  with  now  drooping  heads, 
to  shelter  and  food,  waited  for  James  to  follow 
the  others,  and  then  rode  his  horse  over  to  the 
station  platform.  Riding  up  on  the  platform  he 
rapped  on  the  window  with  the  loaded  end  of  his 
quirt,  and  motioned  to  the  man  inside  to  come 
out.  In  a  low,  tense  voice  he  asked:  "Where's 
the  shipping  agent?" 

"I'm  your  man,"  came  from  a  large  bunch  of 
corduroys. 

"I'm  the  shipper  of  that  bunch  of  cattle  in 
the  yards.  Perhaps  you  saw  our  averted  catas- 
trophe. Instruct  your  engineers  hereafter  to 
avoid  whistles  when  wild  steers  are  being 
driven." 

The  corduroy  man  replied :  "That  engineer's 
resignation  has  already  been  telegraphed  to 
headquarters.  A  man  with  no  better  sense  than 

115 


THE    BRAND 


he  displayed  is  incapable  of  holding  a  job  on  this 
division.'' 

After  a  few  more  remarks  incidental  to  the 
loading  and  shipping  next  morning,  West  turned 
his  horse  in  quest  of  his  sombrero.  As  he  wheeled 
he  came  face  to  face  with  Fletcher,  whose  curi- 
osity prompted  him  to  follow  West.  For  a  mo- 
ment neither  spoke,  and  then  James  blurted  out, 
"Well,  I'll  be  d — d,  West;  you  always  know  just 
\vhat  to  do  and  what's  more,  do  it !" 

As  they  neared  the  spot  where  their  serious 
trouble  with  the  cattle  occurred,  a  faint  sound  of 
distress  reached  West's  acute  ear.  Searching  be- 
hind a  huge  pile  of  rock  and  brush,  he  discovered 
one  of  the  best  steers  with  its  front  legs  broken. 
In  the  flash  of  an  instant  he  had  pulled  his  gun 
and  the  true  and  sure  aim  ended  the  dumb 
brute's  misery.  All  he  remarked  was,  "Another 
feast  for  some  hungry  'Injun,'  "  and  hurried  to 
join  the  other  men  at  supper. 


116 


CHAPTEE  XIV 

THE  FIRST  VISIT  OF  DAVE  DAVIS 

"It  seems  ages  since  the  boys  left  for  the 
round-up/'  remarked  Bess  to  Mrs.  West,  one  aft- 
ernoon, as  they  sat  sewing.  "When  do  you  think 
they  will  be  home?" 

Folding  the  soft,  white  cloth,  which  seemed 
to  accentuate  the  dark-skinned  hands,  Mrs.  West 
paused  a  moment  before  answering. 

"Um,  well,  let  me  see!  They  started  about 
ten  days  ago.  They  ought  to  be  through  on  Sul- 
livan Creek  by  this  time,  and  then  to  Dayton 
Creek  and  home.  Perhaps  in  four  days  more." 

"Well,  when  they  come,  I  think  they  will  dis- 
cover two  things.  One,  that  I  have  wasted  heaps 
of  ammunition,  and  two — that  I  can  'hit  the 
spot'  three  times — almost,"  laughingly  replied 
Bess,  as  she  sat  near  the  window,  unconsciously 
lifting  some  faded  American  Beauty  roses  from  a 
vase.  As  if  suddenly  commanding  her  thoughts, 
she  gave  the  flowers  such  a  vigorous  thrust  back 
into  their  receptacle  that  the  water  flew  into  her 
face. 

"Why  girlie — what  a  way  to  treat  your  poor 
roses!"  said  Mrs.  West. 

Half  ashamed  and  half  defiantly  Bess  turned. 
"Why  did  not  Mr.  Davis  send  the  roses  to  you? 
You  were  the  one  who  cared  for  him.  He  seems 
to  have  forgotten  that,  and  I'd  like  to  remind 
him  of  it,  too,"  she  said,  with  a  flash  in  her  eye. 

117 


THE   BRAND 


"Well,  the  opportunity  is  at  hand ;  but  please 
don't,"  replied  Mrs.  West,  for  just  then  she  saw 
Mr.  Davis  ride  into  the  yard. 

So  completely  was  Bess  surprised  at  the  un- 
expected appearance  of  the  subject  of  her 
thoughts,  that  she  strove  in  vain  to  cover  her 
embarrassment.  Hot  blood  rushed  to  her  cheeks. 
Fragrant,  waving,  brown  hair  half  shielded  her 
eyes,  and  for  once  she  was  glad  of  its  unruly 
fluffiness. 

At  first  she  thought  only  of  flight,  for  some- 
how she  did  not  feel  that  she  could  as  yet  meet 
the  man  whose  last  words  to  her  still  rung  in  her 
ears,  and  caused  little  qualms  of  fear  in  her 
heart.  During  the  weeks  in  which  she  had  not 
seen  him  she  tried  in  vain  to  banish  him  from  her 
mind;  but  the  strange  fascination  which  he  held 
over  her  only  seemed  to  increase.  And  yet  she 
knew  her  heart  did  not  leap  for  joy  at  thought  of 
him,  but  rather  its  quickened  beatings  caused 
her  an  undesirable  pain, — one  so  strange,  and 
new  and  foreign.  Could  it  be  that  this  was  love, 
— that  great,  mysterious  thing  which,  whether 
we  will  or  no,  grips  our  very  souls  like  bands  of 
steel,  and  wrings  them  most  piteously.  How 
could  she  know?  She  had  dreamed  that  with 
love  came  the  sense  of  peace  and  rest ;  the  feeling 
of  utter  repose  and  satisfaction,  the  complete 
knowledge  of  all  that  is  good  and  true,  the  ful- 
ness of  contentment,  the  satisfaction  of  every 
heart-felt  longing ;  and  here,  at  the  very  first  ap- 
pearance of  the  man  who  had  so  ardently  con- 
fessed his  devotion  for  her,  her  one  thought  was 
to  flee,  to  hide  and  not  to  see  him.  Instead,  she 

118 


DAVIS'  FIRST   VISIT 


remained  standing,  perfectly  quiet,  and  by  the 
time  she  heard  his  step  in  the  hall  and  Mrs. 
West's  cheery  salutation  she  was  quite  mistress 
of  herself. 

With  still  a  hesitancy  in  his  walk,  he  came 
into  the  room.  How  his  face  brightened  and  his 
step  quickened  at  sight  of  Bess.  Eagerly  he 
stepped  forward  and  clasped  her  extended  hand. 

"I  am  glad  to  see  you  have  improved  greatly 
in  so  short  a  time,"  ventured  Bess,  in  a  low 
voice. 

"Thanks;  but  to  me  the  past  weeks  have 
seemed  an  eternity.  Not  a  word,  not  a  sign  from 
the  little  girl  I  left  so  reluctantly." 

Bess  felt  like  calling  to  Mrs.  West  as  she 
passed  the  door-way, — she  could  not  be  alone 
with  Mr.  Davis. 

"You  came  to  see  Mrs.  West,"  said  Bess  in  a 
tentative  way ;  "I'll  call  her !"  But  as  she  stepped 
forward  towards  the  door,  her  face  lifted  and 
lips  parted  ready  to  call,  the  man  abruptly  in- 
tervened, caught  her  to  him  and  smothered  the 
sound  upon  her  lips.  Again  and  again  he  kissed 
her  till  she  had  no  breath  to  give  voice  to  her 
anger. 

"You — you — stop — how  dare  you  frighten 
me  so!  You  have  no  right  to — to — "  but  tears 
choked  her  voice  and  she  could  only  gaze  at  him 
with  flashing  eyes. 

The  man  did  not  move  nor  offer  any  words. 
Slowly  he  put  his  hands  in  his  pockets  and 
looked  at  her  with  eyes  that  burned  into  her  very 
soul  and  held  her  spell-bound.  How  handsome  he 
looked, — so  tall  and  large,  health  again  glowing 

119 


THE   BRAND 


in  his  face  and  form.  For  a  full  moment  thus  he 
stood,  immovable,  immutable!  Never  for  an  in- 
stant did  he  lift  his  eyes  from  the  girl's !  Now 
her  eyelids  gave  a  brief  quiver,  her  lips  parted  in 
a  soft  sigh,  and  her  hands  fell  listlessly  by  her 
side.  Then  he  spoke,  in  a  voice  so  low  that  it  was 
scarcely  audible,  so  tender  that  its  caress  seemed 
like  music. 

"Come  here,  dear!"  Lifting  one  hand  in  an 
appealing  gesture,  he  held  it  poised  for  a  moment 
and  then  let  it  rest  gently  on  a  fluffy  brown 
head,  which  moved  slowly  and  irresolutely  near 
to  him.  Lifting  the  girl's  face  so  that  he  could 
look  directly  into  the  eyes,  he  said :  "Tell  me — 
have  I  no  right  to  love  you,  or  to  make  you — make 
you  love  in  return?  Nothing  seems  good  to  me 
but  you;  you  have  my  heart  and  soul  to  save  or 
destroy;  you — little  girl — are  the  keeper  of  my 
happiness,  my  very  existence.  The  miserable 
days  without  you  have  been  unbearable ;  the  long 
nights  more  miserable  still.  I  love  you — do  you 
understand  that — love  you — I  want  you — and 
shall  have  you !"  Again  he  grew  fierce,  and  held 
the  girl  so  firmly  that  he  felt  her  struggle  for 
breath.  Slowly  relaxing  his  arms  and  gently 
placing  the  girl  before  him  he  continued :  "Kiss 
me  now,  Bess,  of  your  own  free  will,  and  that 
will  tell  me  that  you  love  me." 

For  a  moment  she  stood  silent,  dumb.  A 
spasmodic  quiver  shook  her  body  and  trembling 
eyelids  covered  her  eyes.  Her  hands  went  to  her 
heart  as  if  trying  to  restore  its  beating,  and  sud- 

120 


DAVIS'  FIRST   VISIT 


denly  she  stepped  back,  flung  out  her  chin,  and  in 
a  voice  almost  uncontrollable  with  emotion  said, 
"I'll  call— Mrs.— West— "  and  ran  out  of  the 
room  before  her  admirer  could  prevent. 

He  stood  a  moment  at  the  vacant  doorway 
and  then,  with  a  sinister  smile  showing  the  firm, 
white  teeth  set  hard  together,  he  said,  half  audi- 
bly :  "You— shall !" 

Bess  found  Mrs.  West  and  succeeded  rather 
poorly  in  trying  to  be  calm.  The  dear,  white- 
haired  woman  placed  her  arm  lovingly  about  the 
girl  and  led  her  gently  back  into  the  living-room. 

Mr.  Davis  was  standing  with  his  back  to  the 
door  as  they  entered,  toying  carelessly  with  the 
faded  roses. 

"Your  beautiful  roses  were  greatly  enjoyed 
and  appreciated.  We  thank  you  for  them,  Mr. 
Davis,"  said  Bess,  in  a  voice  which  showed  that 
she  had  not  yet  recovered  her  composure. 

She  still  clung  to  Mrs.  West's  hand,  as  if  she 
needed  her  assuring  clasp.  Mrs.  West  could  not 
refrain  a  smile  at  the  extra  stress  which  the  girl 
placed  on  the  "we,"  and  added:  "Yes,  and  you 
may  judge  by  their  condition,  Mr.  Davis,  how 
greatly  they  were  prized.  American  Beauties  are 
not  plentiful  here,  and  their  rarity  as  well  as 
their  beauty  makes  them  doubly  dear." 

"I  am  sorry,  Mrs.  West,  to  have  been  so  tardy 
in  coming  to  see  you.  But  I  found  affairs  in 
great  confusion  when  I  returned  to  the  Agency. 
WTill  you  kindly  tell  me  how  much  I  am  indebted 
to  you?" 

121 


THE   BRAND 


A  look  of  anger  and  humiliation  clouded  the 
woman's  face.  She  did  not  reply  at  once  and  was 
relieved  from  doing  so  by  Bess,  who  drew  herself 
up  to  her  full  height  and  said  with  a  bravado  that 
astonished  both  her  hearers :  "Mr.  Davis,  do  not 
insult  my  little  Mother  by  offering  money  for  her 
kindness  towards  you.  Such  indebtedness  is 
only  liquidated  by — by — gratitude,  and  by — 
roses,"  she  added,  glancing  at  Mrs.  West,  and 
pulled  the  shriveled  petals  off  and  dropped  them 
carelessly  on  the  rug. 

"I  see  it  is  utterly  useless  to  offer  anything 
but  my  thanks,  Mrs.  West."  Davis  held  out  his 
hand  to  her  and  turning  to  the  girl  he  added, 
"And  may  I  send  more  roses?" 

As  he  took  his  departure  a  moment  later,  Mrs, 
West  asked  Bess  if  she  would  ride  as  far  as  Pol- 
son  with  Mr.  Davis  and  bring  the  mail.  There 
did  not  seem  any  plausible  excuse  to  offer  for  not 
wishing  to  go,  and  Davis  gladly  waited  until  she 
had  donned  her  riding  habit  and  a  man  had 
brought  Mauchacho  from  the  stables. 

What  a  delight  to  the  eye  was  the  tall,  lithe 
form,  with  its  becoming  green  skirt  and  soft, 
fluffy  waist.  The  sombrero  was  tied  on  securely 
with  her  long,  white,  silky  veil,  that  caressed  the 
pink  cheeks.  Long  gauntlet  gloves  wTith  fringed 
ends  dangling,  and  a  dainty  quirt,  gave  her  an 
added  touch  of  individuality.  She  spurned  the 
proffered  assistance  to  mount,  and  had  gained 
the  saddle  before  it  was  fairly  given.  The  little 
dread  which  she  had  at  first  felt  at  riding  the 

122 


DAVIS*  FIRST  VISIT 


three  miles  with  Mr.  Davis  had  left  her,  for  some- 
how the  indescribable  feeling  she  had,  when  he 
first  came,  had  completely  vanished,  and  she 
knew  that  she  was  again  complete  mistress  of 
herself — she  was  the  generalissimo ! 

The  horses'  hoofs  filled  her  ears  with  music  as 
the  two  rode  along,  almost  without  a  word,  and 
by  the  time  they  reached  Poison's  she  was  com- 
pletely at  ease  and  all  the  passion  and  fear  of  the 
past  hour  were,  for  the  time,  at  least,  forgotten. 

Mr.  White,  seeing  their  approach,  brought 
the  packet  of  letters  out  to  Bess,  who  eagerly  ex- 
amined them.  At  one,  her  face  lighted  up  with 
beautiful  happiness,  and  she  cried  out:  "Oh, 
goody — one  at  last  from  Bee !" 

After  a  few  desultory  remarks  to  Mr.  White, 
Davis  turned  his  horse  to  go.  Lifting  his  hat  to 
Miss  Fletcher,  now  buried  in  the  pages  of  a  vol- 
uminous letter,  he  spoke  so  low  that  he  doubted 
if  she  heard,  she  gave  a  nod  and  smile  to  his, 
"Remember,  the  roses  are  only  for  you !" 

Bess  crowded  the  pages  of  the  letter  into  its 
envelope,  and  thrusting  all  the  mail  into  her 
blouse  she  leaned  forward  with  a  quick  command 
to  Mauchacho,  who  almost  instantly  caught  the 
girl's  eagerness  and  sped  like  the  wind  along  the 
border  of  the  lake  for  home. 

Davis  turned  in  the  saddle,  resting  his  hand 
on  his  horse's  back,  to  watch  with  admiration  the 
beautiful  rider.  The  long,  white  veil  was  now 
streaming  far  behind  her  like  some  dainty,  fleecy 
cloud,  trying  to  keep  pace  with  a  fleeing  nymph. 

123 


THE   BRAND 


There  was  no  movement  to  her  body,  and  she 
seemed  to  be  flying  through  space.  Davis'  hand 
unconsciously  restrained  his  horse,  who  was  now 
standing  perfectly  still.  He  watched  the  girl 
ride  out  of  sight  behind  a  low  hill,  and  when  he 
again  resumed  his  journey  he  was  filled  with 
greater  determination  than  ever  to  win  her  at 
any  cost. 

Mrs.  West  hurried  to  the  door  as  she  saw 
Bess'  unusual  haste,  but  her  anxiety  was  quickly 
dispelled  as  she  caught  sight  of  the  girl's  happy 
face.  Slipping  off  her  horse's  back,  Bess  left  him 
with  trailing  reins,  and  sprang  quickly  up  the 
steps. 

"Oh,  little  Mother,"  she  cried,  as  she  grasped 
her  hand  and  dragged  her  to  a  seat  on  the  steps 
beside  her.  Into  her  blouse  she  plunged  her  hand 
and  drew  forth  a  letter  which  contained  some 
startling  news,  indeed. 

"See !  here  is  a  letter  from  Bee — Berenice,  you 
know,  and  she  writes — let  me  see,  where  is  it?" 
She  wet  her  thumb  and  fumbled  among  the 
pages.  "Oh,  here!  'At  last,  dear  Bess,  I  have 
gained  father's  consent  to  come  to  visit  you, 
although  he  knows  I  will  surely  be  eaten  by  bears 
or  buffalos  or  captured  by  the  Indians." 

Bess  laughed  as  she  gave  Mrs.  West's  hand  a 
pressure  of  love  and  assurance.  "She  thinks,  or 
her  father,  rather,  thinks  we  are  still  among  sav- 
ages, doesn't  he?"  Then  she  continued  to  read: 
"  'You  see,  dearie,  I  am  quite  worn  out  with  the 
care  of  sister — •  Oh!  haven't  I  told  you  about 

124 


DAVIS7  FIRST   VISIT 


it  all,  little  Mother?  Well,  I  will  when  I've  fin- 
ished reading  this;  'with  the  care  of  sister,  who 
is  much  better  now,  better  than  she  has  been  be- 
fore in  all  these  miserable  years,  although  we 
have  given  up  hope  that  she  will  ever  be  her  dear 
old  self  again/  ' 

Compassionate  tears  were  swimming  in  Bess' 
eyes  so  that  with  difficulty  she  continued  read- 
ing, "that  the  visit  would  not  take  place  until 
early  in  the  autumn." 

"Really,"  said  Bess,  "I  can  scarcely  wait  so 
long.  Berenice  and  I  have  been  like  sisters  and 
were  always  roommates  in  school,  before  her  sis- 
ter's health  demanded  her  continual  presence  fit 
home.  I  have  not  even  seen  her  since  then." 

She  now  carefully  replaced  the  letter  in  its 
envelope  and  told  Mrs.  West  briefly  the  tragedy 
of  the  sister  of  her  dearest  friend,  Berenice  Mor- 
ton. It  seems  that  about  five  years  before  this 
time,  Miss  Grace  Morton,  who  was  attending 
school  in  Massachusetts,  met  a  Harvard  man 
with  whom  she  fell  deeply  in  love.  He  was  also 
enamored  with  the  young  woman  and  became  a 
frequent  visitor.  At  last  he  persuaded  Grace  to 
consent  to  a  secret  marriage,  so  that  each  might 
continue  in  school  and  complete  the  year's  work 
before  announcing  what  they  had  done. 

At  first  he  was  more  devoted  as  a  husband 
than  as  a  lover,  but  when  it  became  imperative 
to  announce  their  secret  marriage  before  the 
close  of  the  school  year,  she  sent  him  an  urgent 
request  to  come  to  her  and  take  her  home  to  her 

125 


TEE   BRAND 


parents.  Tn  vain  she  waited  for  him ;  days  grew 
into  weeks,  and  still  he  did  not  come.  Driven  to 
desperation  at  last,  she  went  home  to  face  her 
parents,  to  face  the  world,  to  bear  her  agony 
alone.  The  shock  was  so  great  that  the  frail 
mother  could  not  bear  it,  and  her  death  resulted 
a  few  weeks  later.  But  the  strong-hearted  father 
and  tender  young  sister  opened  their  arms  to  the 
poor,  frail,  young  woman,  and  with  all  their  com- 
bined efforts  sought  to  lessen  her  burden.  Each 
day  she  watched  for  some  word  or  sign  from  the 
man  who  had  so  cruelly  deserted  her,  but  as  each 
day  closed  without  the  pain  and  longing  being 
satisfied,  she  gradually  sank  deeper  and  deeper 
in  despair.  Her  dear  ones  began  to  hope  that 
with  the  advent  of  her  child  she  might  regain 
her  health  of  mind,  but  when  the  little  one  came 
no  flickering  breath  stirred  its  lips.  In  vain  she 
opened  her  arms  to  receive  her  treasure,  and 
when  they  remained  empty  her  heart  broke  and 
her  mind  fled  in  search  of  the  tiny  wandering 
soul.  During  all  of  these  years  the  broken- 
hearted father  and  sister  watched  in  vain  for 
some  sign  of  recovery.  Now  Berenice  had  writ- 
ten that  she  was  better!  Could  it  be  possible 
that  at  length  their  prayers  would  be  answered? 

"You  see,  in  all  our  letters  to  each  other,  I 
never  felt  like  asking  Berenice  more  than  she 
cared  to  write  voluntarily ;  I  do  know,  however, 
that  she  met  the  man  once  while  visiting  her  sis- 
ter at  school  shortly  after  the  marriage." 

When  Bess  had  finished  telling  Mrs.  West  the 
126 


DAVI&  FIRST  VISIT 


history  of  the  tragedy,  the  little  mother's  heart 
was  so  wrung  with  tears  and  pity  that  she  could 
not  speak,  and  abruptly  entered  the  house. 

"I  wonder,"  said  Mrs.  West,  after  she  had 
again  found  her  voice,  "what  on  earth  could  have 
prompted  any  man  to  do  such  a  cowardly,  das- 
tardly act!  I  believe  if  I  were  placed  in  a  sim- 
ilar position  with  Mr.  Morton  and  should  ever 
discover  the  scoundrel,  I  would — kill  him!"  she 
said,  half  to  herself  and  half  to  the  girl,  who  had 
followed  her  into  the  living-room,  and  who  was 
now  gazing  with  wide,  astonished  eyes  at  the 
excited  woman.  For  the  first  time  since  Bess 
had  come  to  the  HW  ranch  had  she  seen  the 
latent  savagery  aroused.  How  grand  and  impos- 
ing the  woman  looked,  standing  straight  and 
rigid,  her  black  eyes  emitting  flashes  of  fire! 
One  hand  was  thrust  into  the  white  tresses, 
while  the  other,  half  upraised  and  clenched, 
seemed  to  grasp  an  imaginary  weapon!  She 
truly  looked  as  if  she  meant  what  she  said,  and 
as  if  she  could  do  what  she  meant.  Presently 
she  walked  over  to  an  open  window,  as  if  she 
needed  the  fresh  air  which  gently  swayed  the 
curtains.  When  she  had  grown  quite  calm  again 
she  turned  to  Bess,  awed  at  the  woman's  magnifi- 
cent rage. 

"My  dear,  I  am  glad  you  are  here  with  me, 
and  quite  safe  from  those  vultures  who  swoop 
down  upon  any  woman  as  legitimate  prey,  sim- 
ply for  the  gratification  of  a  momentary  passion. 
They  do  not  hesitate  to  match  their  strength 

127 


TEE   BRAND 


against  the  weak,  nor  to  use  every  wile,  hidden 
by  suavity  of  manner  and  equivocal  promises,  to 
accomplish  their  purpose.  I  do  not  say  all  are 
like  this,  but  the  few  are  ever  ready,  waiting." 

The  girl's  brown  eyes  filled  with  a  strange 
light,  as  if  they  did  not  comprehend  the  subtle 
significance  of  the  words,  or  perhaps  saw  for  the 
first  time  the  full  significance  of  what,  hereto- 
fore, had  seemed  like  a  faint,  quavering  intui- 
tion. Her  personal  experience  with  men  had 
been  so  very  limited,  and  withal  so  pleasant,  that 
she  had  felt  a  sort  of  brotherly  interest  in  those 
whom  she  knew.  But  somehow,  now,  there  was 
creeping  into  her  soul  an  indescribable  timidity 
or  fear,  and  for  what  she  could  scarcely  define. 
Into  her  mind  flashed  remnants  of  incidents  she 
had  heard  of  brokenhearted  girls,  and  the  trag- 
edy of  her  friend's  sister  stood  out  clear  and 
ominous !  With  a  start  she  recalled  the  day 
when  she  and  Henry  West  stood  near  his  sister 
Helen's  grave,  and  the  half  incoherent  words 
again  came  into  her  mind  and  assumed  a  new 
and  terrible  meaning.  Yet,  here  stood  the  un- 
suspecting mother,  now  grown  sweet  and  calm 
once  more ;  surely,  Bess'  surmises  must  be  wrong, 
for  how  could  any  mother  have  such  a  secret 
knowledge  and  still  be  able  to  smile — or  even  to 
live? 

"No,"  Bess  thought,  "I  must  not  even  think 
such  a  thing  of  that  dear,  sweet,  sleeping 
stranger." 

At  length  Mrs.  West  came  over  to  Bess,  and 
128 


DAVIS*  FIRST   VISIT 


folding  her  in  her  arms  stroked  the  soft  tresses 
as  if  she  were  her  own  daughter,  still  tiny,  still 
sweet,  still  living! 

"I  fear  that  I  have  alarmed  you,  dear,  but 
somehow  those  things  always  make  me  lose  con- 
trol of  myself,  and  I  feel  like  the  wild  creatures 
who  are  ever  guarding  their  young  against  the 
onslaughts  of  danger." 

Bess  permitted  herself  to  be  held  in  the  pro- 
tecting embrace  for  several  moments,  then  sud- 
denly releasing  herself,  she  sprang  to  the  center 
of  the  room,  and  dramatically  drawing  herself 
up  to  her  full  height,  throwing  back  her  head 
and  clenching  her  hands,  she  said,  with  emotion 
quavering  in  her  voice:  "Look — tell  me — shall 
I  always  be  able  to  protect  myself?  Look!" 

Mrs.  West  was  held  entranced  for  a  moment 
by  the  beautiful  girl.  Health  glowed  in  her  eye 
and  reddened  her  lips  and  cheeks;  strength  of 
character  was  stamped  in  every  feature;  the 
strong  will-power  showed  in  the  rigid  jaw  and 
tense  nostrils. 

"Yes — I  know  you  will  always  have  the  cour- 
age, and  God  will  give  you  strength." 


129 


CHAPTER  XV. 

A  JOURNEY  UP  FLATHEAD  LAKE 

The  round-up  took  longer  this  spring  than 
usual.  There  were  more  calves  to  be  branded, 
and  several  days  of  unpropitious  weather  de- 
layed the  men.  It  was  nearly  three  weeks  since 
Henry  West  and  his  cowboys  and  the  foreman 
had  started  to  join  the  others  on  the  range. 
Eagerly  had  Bess  and  Mrs.  West  watched  for 
their  return.  News  came,  when  the  boys  were 
over  on  Sullivan  Creek,  that  everything  was  pro- 
gressing nicely  and  that  they  would  soon  be 
through,  unless  bad  weather  prevented. 

For  the  first  time  since  Bess  came  to  the 
ranch  she  felt  lonely.  She  did  not  care  to  read, 
and  her  music  seemed  tame  and  uninteresting. 
She  sewed  until  Mrs.  West  compelled  her  to  stop, 
for  she  could  see  that  the  girl  was  growing  ner- 
vous over  it.  A  dozen  times  a  day  she  would 
walk  to  the  gate  and  scan  the  road  toward  Pol- 
son,  hoping  that  James  might  be  coming.  One 
day,  noticing  that  Bess  seemed  to  be  unusually 
quiet,  Mrs.  West  suggested  that  they  go  to  Kal- 
ispell  to  visit  some  friends  and  do  some  shop- 
ping. 

"It  is  a  beautiful  trip  up  the  lake  and  Flat- 
head  Kiver,  and  I  am  sure,  dear,  that  you  would 
enjoy  it.  We  can  go  better  while  the  men  are 
away  than  later,  and  besides,  I  want  to  ask  some 

130 


UP  FLATHEAD  LAKE 


friends  here  for  the  July  celebration,  which  the 
Indians  will  have  next  month." 

"Oh,  that  would  be  fine!"  said  Bess,  as  she 
brightened  up.  "I  am  so  anxious  to  see  what 
kind  of  a  Montana  city  Kalispell  is.  Could  we 
go  on  the  boat  this  noon,  do  you  think?" 

"We  will  hurry  and  try.  It  will  not  take  me 
long  to  arrange  matters.  You  put  a  few  things 
into  a  suit  case,  while  I  give  the  Indian  woman 
some  instructions." 

Shortly  Bess  was  ready  and  hurried  into  the 
library  to  leave  a  note  for  James  and  Henry, 
should  they  return  while  she  and  Mrs.  West  were 
away. 

They  reached  the  boat  in  ample  time,  and 
were  pleasantly  engaged  in  conversation  with 
several  other  passengers  who  were  also  going  to 
Kalispell  when  Bess  heard  her  name  spoken. 
She  did  not  turn  her  head  and  gave  no  outward 
sign,  save  a  vivid  wave  of  color.  Again  she 
heard  the  word  "Bess/'  as  if  it  came  to  her  from 
a  breeze  off  the  lake,  and  she  unconsciously  sum- 
moned all  her  strength  to  resist  turning  about. 

"Why,  Bess!"  said  Mrs.  White,  who  had 
walked  down  to  the  pier  and  onto  the  boat  with 
them,  "some  one  must  be  speaking  of  you,  for 
see  how  your  ears  are  burning,"  and  she  jokingly 
gave  one  of  them  a  tiny  pull.  Just  then  Mrs. 
West  caught  sight  of  a  tall,  handsome  man  who 
still  had  a  slight  limp  in  his  walk,  as  he  stepped 
upon  the  gang  plank. 

"Good  morning,  ladies!  It  looks  as  if  wish- 
131 


THE   BRAND 


ing  you  <bon  voyage'  were  opportune."  Bess 
turned  and  acknowledged  the  greeting  of  Mr. 
Davis.  His  eyes  sought  hers  with  that  strange 
fascination  which  possessed  them  the  last  time 
she  had  seen  him,  and  held  her  gaze.  She  sud- 
denly grew  dumb  and  cold,  and  with  a  visible 
effort  controlled  herself.  "Are  you  not  well  this 
morning,  Miss  Fletcher?"  he  asked,  in  a  solicit- 
ous voice,  as  he  stepped  directly  before  her,  hold- 
ing out  his  hand. 

The  breeze  had  blown  his  soft,  brown  hair 
about  his  face  as  he  stood  with  his  hat  in  his 
hand,  and  Bess,  at  last  finding  her  tongue,  an- 
swered :  "I  may  not  look  well,  Mr.  Davis,  but  I 
certainly  combed  my  hair,  which  is  more  than 
you  have  done." 

"If  mine  is  as  becoming,  blown  into  my  eyes, 
as  yours  is  this  very  moment,  then  I  shall  never 
comb  it  again." 

He  knew  the  girl  was  trying  to  cover  her  em- 
barrassment, and  he  greatly  relieved  her  when 
he  turned  to  address  his  remarks  to  Mrs.  West, 
from  whom  he  learned  that  they  were  going  to 
Kali  spell  for  a  few  days. 

"Yes,  I  also  am  going.  I'm  certainly  most 
fortunate  to  have  such  pleasant  company,"  Da- 
vis said. 

When  Bess  heard  this  she  longed  to  go  back 
to  the  ranch,  or  go  with  Mrs.  White.  She  could 
not  analyze  the  strange  feeling  which  came  over 
her  when  near  this  man.  While  he  fascinated  her, 
still  he  repulsed  her ;  while  she  did  not  fear  him, 

132 


UP  FLAT  HE  AD  LAKE 


still  she  felt  ill  at  ease;  while  he  interested  her, 
still  she  fought  against  it. 

Everyone  was  aboard;  the  whistle  shrieked 
its  departing  signal,  and  the  plank  was  being 
pulled  onto  the  boat  when  Bess  hurriedly  whis- 
pered to  Mrs.  West,  who  was  alarmed  and  as- 
tonished at  her  really  pale  countenance,  "Please 
— dearie — is  it  too  late?  May  I  go  home  to  the 
ranch?  I — really  feel  that  I  do  not  care  to  go — 
now — '  Suspicious  moisture  gathered  under  the 
half-closed  lids. 

"If  you  are  ill,  dear,  certainly  we  shall  go 
home.  Mr.  Davis,  I  fear  Bess  is  not  well.  Will 
you  ask  them  to  hold  the  boat  while  we  go 
ashore?" 

He  sought  the  girl's  pale  face  anxiously,  and 
said :  "Certainly,  Mrs.  West,  and  if  I  may  I  will 
assist  you  in  taking  her  to  the  ranch." 

"No — no,"  cried  the  girl  hurriedly.  "You — I 
am  quite  well  and  will  go  on,"  and  she  ran  quick- 
ly up  the  stairway  into  the  tiny  cabin  and  flung 
herself  upon  a  couch. 

Mrs.  West  and  Mr.  Davis  looked  at  each  oth- 
er for  a  moment,  and  then  he  said  to  her  very 
seriously,  "Mrs.  West,  you  understand  as  well  as 
I  do,  that  the  little  girl  is  fighting — fighting 
against  the  dictates  of  her  own  heart.  She  will 
reciprocate  sooner  or  later  and  love  me  as  I  do 
her.  May  I  go  to  her  and  speak  to  her  now?" 

"Do  not  be  so  impatient,  Mr.  Davis.  Remem- 
ber she  is  still  an  unknowing  child,  one  who  is 
afraid  of  strangers.  One  may  cherish  a  rose- 

133 


THE   BRAND 


bud,  but  let  him  attempt  to  open  the  petals  be- 
fore they  are  formed  and  grown  into  rose-leaves, 
he  will  discover  only  bruised  and  broken  frag- 
rance in  his  hand." 

"Your  philosophy  is  true;  but  it  is  hard  to 
curb  one's  impatience.  I  need  her,  Mrs.  West, 
and  since  these  days  of  pain  which  I  spent  in 
your  home,  the  torture  of  being  away  from  her  is 
hard  to  bear." 

She  could  not  doubt  the  sincerity  of  his  con- 
fession, as  she  listened  to  his  low,  impassioned 
words. 

•"Will  you  help  me,  Mrs.  West?  Tell  me  you 
will  help  me  in  teaching  her  to  care  for  me !" 

"All  I  can  reply,  Mr.  Davis,  is  that  my  first 
concern  is  and  shall  be  the  happiness  of  Bess," 
and  Mrs.  West  left  him  with  this  rather  unsatis- 
factory reply. 

The  boat  was  now  quite  a  distance  out  into 
the  blue  waters  of  the  lake,  and  already  Wild 
Horse  Island  was  in  sight.  The  day  was  beauti- 
fully clear  and  warm,  and  only  a  slight  breeze 
stirred  the  tiny  waves.  The  boat  swung  to  the 
left  and  began  to  go  up  the  big  arm  of  the  Lake, 
which  in  itself  is  a  large-sized  body  of  water.  At 
Dayton  Creek  they  waited  a  few  moments  while 
more  passengers  were  taken  aboard,  and  Bess 
was  drawn  from  her  couch  to  watch  some  fine 
horses  being  taken  on  the  boat. 

"There  is  one  that  looks  like  Mauchacho,"  she 
said  to  Mrs.  West,  whom  she  thought  was  stand- 
ing beside  her. 

134 


UP  FLATHEAD  LAKE 


"Please,  may  I  talk  to  you  now?  There  are  a 
number  of  interesting  things  which  I  would  like 
to  point  out  to  you,  if  I  may,"  said  a  low  voice 
quite  near  her. 

Bess  could  not  resist  the  little  appeal  which 
the  tone  gave  without  being  rude,  and  with  rath- 
er a  forced  smile  she  permitted  Mr.  Davis  to 
stand  beside  her. 

"Those  horses  are  being  taken  to  Kali  spell  for 
the  Fourth  of  July  celebration.  They  have  some 
good  races.  Will  you  be  there  to  see  them,  Miss 
-Bess?" 

"Oh,  no !  We  are  only  to  be  there  for  a  day 
or  two.  Some  of  Mrs.  West's  friends  are  coming 
to  the  HW  Eanch  during  the  July  celebration 
which  the  Indians  are  to  have.  I  shall  save  all 
my  shouts  for  the  races  then,  you  know." 

"Presently  we  shall  come  to  the  famous  'Pic- 
ture Rocks/  "  said  Davis,  during  their  conversa- 
tion. Not  a  word  had  he  said  save  some  remark 
about  the  horses  or  the  scenery,  as  they  passed  an 
interesting  place. 

As  the  boat  neared  the  rocks  it  slowed  so  that 
the  passengers  might  get  a  better  view  of  the  pic- 
tures. Here,  on  the  flat  surface  of  a  cliff,  which 
rises  abruptly  out  of  the  water  for  a  hundred 
feet,  are  quaint  tracings  made  by  the  Indians, 
many,  many,  years  ago.  Horses,  deer,  moose  and 
other  animals  are  clearly  drawn.  Numerous  lines 
near  a  deer  record  the  successful  hunt.  Several 
buffalos  were  clearly  outlined  and  other  draw- 
ings which  could  not  be  defined.  How  it  was  pos- 

135 


THE   BRAND 


sible  that  these  records  have  stood  the  ravages 
of  time  is  not  known. 

Bess  was  so  interested  that  as  the  boat  re- 
sumed its  journey  she  asked  Mr.  Davis  for  more 
information  concerning  the  strange  and  wonder- 
ful pictures.  He  led  her  to  some  comfortable 
chairs,  and  so  interested  did  she  become  in  the 
stories  which  he  told  that  she  almost  forgot  her 
chaperon. 

"Keally,  I  must  go  and  find  Mrs.  West/'  said 
Bess,  as  she  arose  from  her  seat. 

"Wait  a  moment,"  ventured  Mr.  Davis,  as  he 
touched  her  hand  restrainingly.  "First,  I  want 
to  ask  you,  why  did  you  resist  me  as  I  came  onto 
the  boat?  You  knew  I  was  near;  why  did  you 
not  turn?" 

Bess  drew  her  hand  from  his  tightening  clasp, 
and  pushing  back  the  hair  from  her  eyes,  said: 
"Because,  Mr.  Davis,  you  thought  you  could 
make  me  turn  and  answer  your  call,  and  I  want- 
ed you  to  know  that  I  could  control  my  own 
will." 

"My  dear — did  you  say  you  heard  me  call? 
Indeed,  I  had  not  uttered  a  sound !  Some  day — 
you  will  not  try  so  hard  to  resist  me,  nor  to  make 
yourself  believe  that  which  you  know  is  not  true. 
May  I  see  you,  if  only  for  a  moment,  while  you 
are  in  Kalispell?"  he  continued,  but  before  he 
could  catch  the  reply  the  girl  had  run  out  to 
where  she  saw  Mrs.  West  \vith  some  other 
ladies. 

136 


CHAPTER  XVI 

"MON  DESIR"  AND  THE  BOX  OF  ROSES 

"It  does  seem  so  good  to  be  home  again  where 
it  is  cool  and  clean  and  cozy,"  said  Bess,  as  she 
flung  herself  into  an  easy  porch  chair  the  morn- 
ing of  their  return  from  the  County-seat.  She 
scanned  with  interest  the  tall,  magnificent  pines 
and  firs  which  bordered  the  lake,  as  if  she  had 
been  away  from  them  months  instead  of  days.  A 
half-drawn  glove  was  held  in  her  clasp,  as  she 
lifted  her  hands  to  her  eyes  better  to  discern 
some  horsemen  whom  she  saw  in  the  distance. 

"Little  Mother/'  she  cried,  "come  quickly;  I 
believe  those  are  the  boys  returning!" 

Mrs.  West  came  hurrying  out  with  a  pair  of 
field  glasses,  and  soon  the  two  were  hastening  out 
of  the  gate  and  down  the  road  to  see  "the  boys." 
For  a  moment  they  were  out  of  sight  behind  the 
low  hill,  then  suddenly,  a  single  horseman  came 
into  sight,  riding  swiftly  toward  them.  In  a  mo- 
ment more  Henry  West  sprang  to  the  ground 
and  held  both  his  mother's  hands  as  he  pressed 
his  tanned  and  roughened  cheek  against  hers. 

Turning  to  Bess  with  the  gladness  of  return 
shining  in  his  eyes  and  ringing  from  his  voice,  he 
said,  "Oh,  it  seems  so  good  to  be  home  again! 
We  had  a  long,  hard  siege  of  it  this  trip.  But 

137 


THE   BRAND 


where  are  you  going?"  as  he  noticed  she  still 
wore  her  hat. 

Bess  had  suddenly  burst  into  hysterical 
laughter.  She  could  not  reply.  His  mother  ex- 
plained that  they  had  just  returned  from  Kalis- 
pell  and  that  she  was  glad  they  were  at  home 
when  he  arrived.  Just  then  James  Fletcher  with 
several  of  the  cowboys  came  riding  up. 

"Well,  little  sister,  are  you  so  glad  to  see  us 
that  you  can't  control  your  laughing?"  said 
James,  jumping  from  his  horse  and  giving  Bess 
such  a  hearty  squeeze  that  she  gasped  for  breath. 

"Really,  Henry,  if  you  could  see  how  funny 
you  look  with  that — that  little  goatee,  I  guess 
you  call  it !" 

Henry  gave  the  whiskers  a  stroke  or  two,  and 
replied  in  a  joking  manner  entirely  foreign  to 
himself,  "You  see,  'noblesse  oblige'.  I  was  chos- 
en foreman  of  the  round-up,  and  so  grew  this  to 
give  me  dignity." 

"Yes,  Henry  could  not  have  carried  on  the 
round-up  had  not  the  boys  been  awed  by  the 
whiskers,"  added  James,  looking  at  Henry,  and 
they  both  laughed  as  numerous  jokes  recurred  to 
them. 

"To  say  the  least,  they  are  awful,  don't  you 
think  so,  little  Mother?  Please  boys,  go  hurry 
and  shave  and  look  like  yourselves  again." 

The  long,  delightful  afternoon  was  spent  in 
lounging  in  the  hammock  or  resting  in  the  quiet, 
cool  rooms.  Bess  sang  for  the  boys  and  they  list- 
ened, as  if  they  had  been  isolated  for  months. 

138 


"MON  DESIR" 


Presently  eTames  fell  asleep,  and  Henry  moved 
nearer  to  the  piano  where  he  could  watch  the 
girPs  face  as  she  sang.  Song  after  song  fell  in 
soft  cadences  from  her  lips  and  held  the  man  en- 
tranced. How  dear  she  looked  in  the  simple 
white  dress,  with  some  wild  rose  buds  in  the  knot 
of  hair  at  her  neck.  Tiny,  stray  locks  half  hid 
her  eyes  and  made  them  a  soft,  deep  brown.  Now 
she  began  the  low,  indecisive  minor  of  Nevins' 
'Mon  Desir/  and  as  her  rich,  melodious  voice 
framed  the  words,  an  involuntary  sigh  escaped 
the  man  who  stood  so  near  her.  Stretching  out 
his"  hand  he  placed  it  abruptly  over  hers  on  the 
piano,  and  with  a  trembling  voice  and  eyes  bril- 
liant with  emotion  asked  Bess  to  cease. 

"Why,  Henry — your  favorite  song,"  said 
Bess,  astonished. 

"Not  today — I  can't — hear — it— today."  He 
turned  abruptly  and  quitted  the  room. 

James  stirred  and  stretched  his  arms  with  a 
yawn,  saying,  "Didn't  I  just  hear  you  sing  'My 
Desire',  sister?  Go  on,  finish  it!" 

But  Bess,  rising  from  the  seat,  closed  the 
music,  gently  and  tenderly,  as  if  she  were  con- 
cealing some  sacred  thing. 

"Not  today;  I  could  not  sing  it  again — to- 
day." Going  through  the  open  door  she  sought 
the  splashing  spring  near  the  house,  where  she 
sat  dreaming  and  wondering — wondering  at  the 
strange  moods  of  Henry  West.  The  shadows  of 
the  trees  were  lengthening  perceptibly,  and  a  tiny 
chill  in  the  air  warned  her  that  it  must  be  nearly 

139 


THE   BRAND 


dinner  time.  She  stooped  to  bathe  her  face  in 
the  clear,  cold  stream,  where  it  flowed  through 
the  hewn  trough,  and  at  once  felt  refreshed, 
bright  and  alert.  By  the  time  she  reached  the 
house  she  was  unconsciously  singing,  and  as  the 
words — "Give  me  my  desire"  arose  to  her  lips  she 
felt  rather  than  heard  a  deep  sigh  which  came 
from  behind  the  swaying  curtains  of  the  living- 
room.  As  she  entered  through  the  open  door,  she 
saw  Henry  West,  reclining  in  a  large  chair,  his 
hands  clasped  together  above  his  head,  in  a  rest- 
ful attitude.  All  traces  of  the  round-up  were 
gone,  save  the  deep  brown  of  the  sunburn  on  his 
face,  which  made  him  look  almost  as  dark  as  a 
full  blooded  Indian,  and  contrasted  strangely 
with  the  soft,  white,  silk  shirt. 

As  Bess  came  near  with  a  sweet  smile  lighting 
up  her  face,  she  asked,  half  coaxingly,  "I  wonder 
if  you  and  James  are  too  tired,  or  have  ridden  too 
much  during  the  past  three  weeks,  to  go  with  me 
for  a  ride  after  dinner?  We  can  go  after  the 
mail,  and  then  cross  on  the  ferry  and  ride  over  to 
the  falls.  They  must  be  magnificent  now  that  the 
water  is  so  high.  I  could  hear  them  roar  as  we 
came  through  Poison  this  morning.  Mauchacho 
has  not  had  his  saddle  on  for  days." 

She  had  not  noticed  until  now  how  really 
tired  and  worn  out  the  man  looked.  Three  weeks 
of  constant  riding  is  a  hard  task,  even  for  those 
who,  one  might  say,  live  in  the  saddle.  To  have 
charge  of  the  round-up;  to  manage  successfully 
and  skilfully  the  driving  and  separating  of 

140 


<MON  DESIR> 


thousands  of  cattle  and  the  correct  branding  of 
the  calves ;  to  see  that  each  man  performs  his  es- 
pecial duty  and  his  share  and  is  not  behind  some 
protecting  hill  sitting  on  the  ground,  digging  his 
spurs  into  the  ground,  watching  his  horse  eat 
grass  while  the  other  "boys"  are  driving  the  cat- 
tle to  the  branding  corrals;  to  do  all  these  and 
many  more  duties  dependent  upon  him,  complete- 
ly used  up  all  of  West's  reserve  force. 

"There — there — never  mind — don't  say  'yes' ; 
really,  I  am  selfish  to  forget  how  tired  you  both 
must  be,  indeed,"  continued  Bess  anxiously,  as 
West,  with  effort,  lowered  his  arms  and  drew 
himself  together.  She  took  one  of  the  rose-buds 
from  her  hair  and  carelessly  fastened  it  in  a 
button-hole  of  his  shirt.  The  faint  perfume  arose 
to  his  nostrils,  and  for  a  moment  made  him  quiv- 
er, as  if  he  were  cold.  He  gripped  the  arms  of 
the  chair,  that  his  hands  might  not,  against  his 
will,  clasp  the  girl  and  draw  her  down  to  him 
and  hold  her  there  forever.  "Give  me  my  desire, 
and  then  let  me  die,"  the  words  of  the  sad,  tragic 
song  leaped  to  his  mind. 

"Keally,  Bess,"  he  explained,  "James  is  quite 
worn  out.  He  stood  the  round-up  splendidly, 
and  although  I  tried  to  give  him  easy  shifts  he 
insisted  upon  doing  his  share.  I  will  go  with 
you  for  a  ride,  and  am  not  tired." 

"No,  Henry,  we  will  just  stay  at  home,  and 
you  and  James  shall  tell  me  all  about  the  experi- 
ences of  the  past  few  weeks." 

As  they  went  into  the  dining-room  a  large  box 
141 


THE   BRAND 


was  at  Bess'  place  at  the  table.  Her  face  and 
neck  dyed  crimson  as  she  caught  sight  of  it,  for 
well  she  knew  what  it  contained  and  who  was  the 
sender.  She  would  have  placed  it  aside,  but 
James  and  Mrs.  West  coaxingly  demanded  to  see 
the  contents.  Her  trembling  fingers  could  scarce- 
ly untie  the  cord.  Henry,  who  sat  beside  her, 
offered  his  assistance,  and  as  she  removed  the 
cover  and  green,  waxen  paper  and  lifted  the 
large,  white  roses  to  her  face,  a  card  fell  at  Hen- 
ry's plate. 

"Oh !  a  card  too !  Let's  see,  Henry,  who  it  is 
that  sent  the  conservatory,"  cried  James,  who 
never  missed  an  opportunity  to  tease  his  sister. 
But  Henry,  without  even  glancing  at  the  card, 
placed  it  among  the  flowers  which  Bess  held  in 
her  arms.  Her  first  impulse  was  to  flee,  but  in- 
stead, she  stood  up  straight  and  firm,  and  with 
an  impulsive  gesture  gave  the  card  to  Mrs.  West, 
"Bead,  Mother,"  demanded  the  girl,  "and  tell 
who  sent  these  and  many  others  to  us,"  with  es- 
pecial emphasis  on  the  last  word. 

"This  time,  dearie,  I  fear  we  are  not  in  part- 
nership. James,  you  know  who  sent  the  roses; 
the  card  reads,  "To  my  sweetheart,"  said  Mrs. 
West  softly,  as  she  again  replaced  the  card. 

"I  congratulate  you  Miss — Bess,"  remarked 
Henry,  his  face  suddenly  grown  pale. 

"So  do  I,  Sister;  Davis  is  a  bully  good  fellow, 
I  think,  and  I'm  sure  he'd  make  a  great  brother," 
added  James  before  the  girl  could  speak  the 
words  of  expostulation  which  rushed  to  her  lips. 

142 


"MON  DESIW 


She  crushed  the  roses  to  her  breast  and  a 
shower  of  white  petals  fell  to  the  floor.  One  flut- 
tered against  West's  hand,  and  he  started  as  if 
a  poisonous  insect  stung  him. 

Mrs.  West  quickly  saw  the  girPs  deep  con- 
fusion and  came  to  her  aid,  remarking  that  the 
two  were  rather  hasty  in  their  congratulations, 
which,  as  yet,  were  most  inopportune. 

As  Bess  seated  herself,  she  let  the  roses  slide 
unheeded  from  her  lap  to  the  floor.  Henry  West 
stooped,  lifted  the  now  bruised  and  broken  blos- 
soms, and  going  into  the  living-room  placed  them 
upon  the  folded  copy  of  M on  Desir,  as  gently  and 
as  reverently  as  if  they  were  laid  upon  the  silent 
breast  of  a  lost  and  dead  love. 


143 


CHAPTER  XVII 

BESS  FLETCHER'S  NEW  GUN,  AND  ITS  FIRST  VICTIM 

West  was  standing  near  a  tall  pine  tree,  fast- 
ening a  small  square  of  white  paper  against  it 
with  a  pin.  James  stood  near,  holding  a  38 
Smith  and  Wesson  in  his  hands.  Bess  stood  back 
some  fifteen  yards  with  a  22-caliber  repeating 
rifle  rested  across  her  left  arm. 

"She  said  she  did,  Henry,"  said  James  as  he 
lifted  his  eye-brows  in  a  smile  of  incredulity. 

"Yes,  I  did  yesterday — hit  the  mark,  not  only 
three  but  four  times,  if  you  please." 

"Well,  the  test  is  at  hand.  You  have  to  'show 
us'  Sister,  before  we  can  'deliver  the  goods.' ' 

Twice  had  the  pin  dropped  from  West's 
fingers,  but  the  third  attempt  had  securely  fast- 
ened the  target  in  place. 

"Now,  then,  Bess,  three  holes  within  an  inch 
apart,  and  only  three  shots,"  said  West,  as  he 
stepped  aside.  James  ran  and  concealed  himself 
behind  a  tree,  as  if  he  really  feared  being  shot. 

For  a  moment  Bess  stood  still,  lifted  the  gun, 
examined  it  to  see  that  the  cartridges  were  all 
right,  adjusted  the  sights  correctly,  and  then 
with  a  firm,  decisive  movement  placed  the  weap- 
on against  her  shoulder.  A  sharp  report  and  one 
mark  was  recorded;  the  click  of  the  lever  and 
another  shot,  and  then  the  third.  She  stood  with 
the  butt  of  the  gun  resting  on  her  foot,  as  she 

144 


THE  Q-UW8  FIRST  VICTIM 

watched  eagerly  as  both  boys  hurried  forward 
to  view  the  record.  Both  were  pointing  and 
measuring  and  talking.  She  heard  James  say 
"not  quite'7  and  West  replied  "near  enough." 

"If  it  is  not  correct,  I  have  lost,"  said  Bess,  as 
she  started  towards  the  tree.  She  found  two 
holes  together  and  the  third  a  little  more  than 
one  inch  to  the  left. 

"Take  one  more  shot,  Bess;  I  know  you  can 
hit  it,"  said  West,  as  he  assured  himself  that  the 
gun  was  loaded  and  handed  it  back  to  the  girl. 
Bess  resumed  her  position,  and  the  next  shot  cut 
directly  between  the  other  two,  making  one  large 
mark  on  the  paper. 

"Good,"  cried  both  the  boys  at  once,  and  they 
came  laughingly  forward  to  present  her  the  pret- 
ty new  weapon.  James  cleared  his  throat  pre- 
paratory te  making  a  presentation  speech,  and  as 
the  words  "In  behalf  of"  were  said,  Bess  threw 
her  arms  about  his  neck  and  then  placed  both  her 
hands  over  his  mouth. 

"Thanks,  Henry,  it  is  a  perfect  beauty,"  said 
Bess,  as  she  accepted  the  gun.  As  she  read  en- 
graved on  one  side  of  the  handle,  her  name,  "Bess 
Fletcher"  and  on  the  other,  HW  brand,  she  ex- 
tended her  hand  and  happy  tears  filled  her  eyes. 

Both  men  demanded  that  she  give  the  pistol  a 
trial,  and  both  were  really  astonished  to  see  how 
quickly  she  used  it  and  how  accurate  were  her 
aim  and  judgment  of  distance. 

"See,  I  have  the  pocket  in  my  skirt  all  ready 
for  it,"  and  the  gun  slid  into  the  ingenious  open- 

145 


THE   BRAND 


ing  near  the  waist,  leaving  only  the  handle  incon- 
spicuously exposed.  "You  see,  I  was  determined 
to  win,  although  I  really  cannot  see  what  pos- 
sible use  it  can  ever  be  to  me.  I  could  not  bear  to 
shoot  a  bird,  and  as  far  as  defense,  what  can 
harm  me,  Henry?" 

"I  have  carried  a  gun  here  on  the  range  al- 
ways," remarked  West,  as  he  drew  one  from  his 
holster,  "and  I  have  never  used  it  but  once,  and 
that  was  to  shoot  a  rattle-snake  which  put  up  a 
fight.  See,  here  are  the  rattles, — eleven  and  the 
button."  Taking  off  his  hat, he  showed  the  inter- 
ested pair  where  he  wore  it  on  his  hat  band. 
"Another  time  I  had  it  drawn  and  cocked,  but," 
— he  paused;  "but — I  replaced  it."  Bess  saw 
him  bite  his  lip  as  if  the  memory  of  the  incident, 
even,  filled  him  with  hate.  Neither  asked  what 
the  occasion  was,  but  as  he  carefully  looked  at 
the  weapon  his  face  told  them  that  he  might  use 
it  again.  He  thrust  it  back  into  its  leathern  recep- 
tacle, giving  the  holster  a  firm  pat,  as  if  to  assure 
himself  the  gun  was  secure — and  ready. 

Bess  had  remounted  her  horse  and  gone  back 
to  the  house  to  show  the  prize  to  Mrs.  West.  As 
she  left  them,  James  turned  to  West,  who  was  re- 
adjusting one  of  his  stirrups  before  remounting. 
The  three  had  come  a  short  distance  from  the 
house  for  the  shooting  exhibition,  and  now  James 
and  West  were  going  on  to  gather  up  some  run- 
ning horses  which  he  wished  to  get  in  shape  for 
the  races  to  be  held  within  the  next  few  days. 

"Henry,"  began  James,  as  he  walked  to  the 
146 


THE  GUN'S  FIRST  VICTIM 

man  standing  near  Eagle,  "why  can't  you  tell  me 
what  troubles  you?  You  are  not  like  your  old 
self,  not  one  bit.  I  have  seen  it  ever  since  my  re- 
turn, and  of  late  your  mood  is  becoming  worse. 
Is  it  anything  which  I  could  help — if  it  is,  tell 
me,  and  you  know  I'll  do  anything  under  God's 
sun  to  help  you,  old  boy." 

He  placed  a  friendly  arm  about  the  dark, 
silent  man's  shoulder,  and  with  a  gentle  pat  or 
two  rested  it  there.  He  noted  the  sudden  dila- 
tion of  the  wide  nostrils,  heard  the  teeth  as  they 
ground  together  and  caught  a  hopeful  expression 
in  the  dark,  deep  eyes  as  they  were  lifted  to  his 
face  for  a  moment. 

As  if  to  arouse  the  man  from  a  dream,  James 
gave  his  broad  shoulder  another  pat,  at  which 
West  straightened  himself  and  grasped  James' 
hand  in  his,  in  a  strong  grip. 

"You,  Jim,  are  and  have  been  my  truest,  best 
friend.  Ever  since  that  first  night  at  Harvard 
have  you  been  more  to  me  than  a  brother.  My 
trouble  is  something  which  even  God  could  not 
help.  Part  of  it  is  past,  part  is  still  to  come. 
The  past  cannot  be  forgotten,  the  future  is  inevit- 
able,— I  must  face  it  and — alone.  I  could  not 
tell  you  without  causing  you  unnecessary  pain, 
and  believe  me,  I  should  ask  your  help,  if  you 
could  help  me.  Never  mind  my  moods.  I  try 
hard  enough  to  brace  up  before  your  sister  and 
my  mother,  but  I  know  that  sometimes  I  fail  mis- 
erably. Give  me  your  hand  again,  Jim,  and  know 

147 


THE   BRAND 


—that  when  I  can  or  must  tell  you,  nothing  shall 
prevent  my  seeking  you  and  your  confidence." 

He  put  his  foot  in  the  stirrup  and  swung  with 
easy  grace  into  his  saddle.  James  mounted  and 
rode  beside  him,  trying  in  vain  to  think  of  some- 
thing to  say  which  might  relieve  the  awkward  sil- 
ence. Either  West  did  not  see  another  rider  ap- 
proaching them,  or  else  he  purposely  reined 
Eagle  from  the  hard,  beaten  road,  across  the 
prairie.  In  response  to  a  signal  from  the  horse- 
man, James  called  to  West.  "Henry,  Davis  is 
signaling  to  us.  Come  back  and  see  what  he 
wants." 

Already  Fletcher  had  started  back  and  was 
talking  with  Davis  when  West  came  up  slowly. 
He  touched  his  hat  as  the  Indian  Agent  looked  up 
at  him,  and  noting  that  the  conversation  did  not 
concern  him  he  let  Eagle  nibble  at  the  grass  at 
some  little  distance,  while  he  waited  for  James. 

"Thanks,  Fletcher;  I  shall  do  as  you  sug- 
gest," came  to  West's  ears,  as  he  looked  up  to  see 
James  returning  and  Davis  going  on — he  knew  to 
his  home  to  see  the  one  whom  he  himself  loved 
more  than  all  the  world. 

"Do  you  know,  Henry,"  said  James,  "I  think 
Davis  is  a  fine  man.  He  just  asked  my  consent  to 
visit  my  sister  and  try  to  win  her  for  his  wife.  I 
told  him  that  as  far  as  I  was  concerned,  he  might 
do  so,  but  that  Bess  could  and  would  please  her- 
self. In  fact,  I  told  him  that  she  did  not  seem 
to  care  for  any-one' s  addresses." 

West  could  not  reply,  his  heart  and  lips 
148 


THE  GUW8  FIRST  VICTIM 

seemed  suddenly  frozen.  If  he  only  could  warn 
this  brother  against  that  man!  Yet,  how  could 
he  without  revealing  the  deep  secret  of  his  heart? 
Unless  he  stated  facts  Fletcher  might  think  it 
was  some  personal  affair  which  prompted  his 
criticism  of  Davis.  And  yet,  to  let  Bess  fall  di- 
rectly into  the  talons  of  a  vulture  without  even 
lifting  his  voice  to  defend  her,  seemed  the  height 
of  cowardice.  He  must  have  time  to  think — to 
think. 

Mauchacho,  with  his  saddle  on,  was  standing 
at  the  gate  waiting  for  his  mistress  to  resume  her 
ride.  He  gave  a  long  neigh  of  welcome  as  Mr. 
Davis  came  riding  up.  Bess  ran  to  the  door  to 
see  what  Mauchacho  wanted,  just  as  Mr.  Davis 
leaped  to  the  ground  and  started  through  the 
gate.  With  a  little  ejaculation  of  surprise  she 
stepped  down  toward  him.  She  knew  that  if  she 
could  have  escaped  without  being  seen,  she  would 
not  now  be  shaking  hands  with  this  man. 

"Mr.  Fletcher  told  me  I  should  find  you  here, 
and  he  assured  me  that  you  would  be  glad  to  see 
me,"  he  said.  He  did  not  look  directly  at  her  as 
he  exaggerated  the  truth.  "Are  you  not  glad,  lit- 
tle girl?" 

Since  the  evening  when  the  white  roses  had 
come  and  the  card  had  been  read  to  the  others, 
Bess  'had  not  felt  so  confused  nor  embarrassed 
when  Davis  had  been  spoken  of.  Now  that  James 
and  Henry  and  Mrs.  West  knew  that  Davis  cared 
for  her  and  that  he  came  purposely  to  see  her,  she 

149 


THE   BRAND 


tried  to  overcome  her  aversion  for  the  man. 
While  he  was  near  her  he  exerted  an  influence 
which,  strive  as  she  would,  she  could  not  resist. 
His  manner  was  charming,  his  conversation  in- 
teresting, and  there  was  about  him  that  subtle, 
indescribable  something  which  made  him  well- 
nigh  irresistible.  Bess  was  even  surprised  at 
herself  as  she  became  more  and  more  interested 
in  the  man.  And  yet  when  he  was  gone  she  al- 
ways felt  relieved  and  happier,  as  if  she  were 
freed  from  some  undue  constraint.  She  never 
longed  for  him  to  come  again  and  always  felt  a 
surprise  when  he  came,  and  an  insane  desire  to 
run  away  to  tide.  As  she  did  not  reply  to  his 
question,  he  asked  again,  "Is  my  sweetheart  glad 
to  see  me?" 

"Really,  Mr.  Davis,  your  conjecture  is  rather 
bold!  Did  I  ever  say  I  was  anyone's  sweet- 
heart?" 

"But  you  are,  you  are  mine,  and  just  now 
your  brother  congratulated  me." 

"Well,  indeed,"  said  Bess,  haughtily;  "is  a 
girl  compelled  to  assume  the  role,  nolens  volcns?" 
Her  brown  eyes  snapped  defiance  at  the  man 
standing  a  few  steps  below  her. 

"There,  Bess,  no  one  will  compel  you  to  do 
anything  against  your  own  will,"  quickly  correct- 
ed Mr.  Davis,  for  he  did  not  wish  his  too  slow 
progress  to  be  retarded  by  any  whim  or  imagined 
compulsion.  He  had  had  experience  enough  to 
know  that  with  women,  coaxing  accomplishes 
more  than  commands. 

150 


THE  GUN'S  FIRST  VICTIM 

"Come,  I  came  to  take  you  for  a  ride.  I  see 
you  were  intending  to  go  anyway,"  he  said 
tactfully.  Half  reluctantly  she  permitted 
him  to  lead  her  to  the  gate  and  assist  her  in 
mounting.  Immediately,  as  she  felt  her  horse  un- 
der her,  her  usual  happy  spirit  returned  and  in  a 
short  time  she  was  laughing  and  merry  as  could 
be.  The  warm  breeze  blew  her  white  veil  about 
her  face  and  tossed  her  hair  about  in  sweet  con- 
fusion. What  a  picture  they  made  as  their  horses 
moved  swiftly  along  in  rhythmic  motion  !  He  sat 
his  horse  well  and  rode  without  any  awkward- 
ness, now  that  his  ankle  was  strong  once  more. 
It  seemed  to  him  that  he  had  never  seen  such 
perfect  grace  before,  as  he  saw  how  beautifully 
the  girl  rode  her  splendid  horse. 

"If  it  were  not  so  hot  down  across  the  flat," 
said  Bess,  "I  would  show  you  that  Mauchacho 
can  go  twice  as  fast  as  that  cayuse  you  are  rid- 
ing," and  the  twinkle  in  her  eye  was  inconsistent 
with  her  assumed,  contemptuous  smile. 

"This  is  the  first  ride  we  have  had  together 
for  so  long  that  I  could  not  bear  to  hurry  it,"  re- 
plied Davis,  as  he  placed  a  restraining  hand  on 
Mauchacho's  bridle. 

"It  seems  to  be  growing  dreadfully  hot!  Go 
to  the  right  beyond  those  rocks  and  we  shall  find 
shade  and  a  spring,"  said  the  girl,  as  she  noticed 
tiny  beads  of  sweat  trickling  down  the  horses' 
necks. 

Suddenly,  Mauchacho,  who  was  leading,  gave 
a  quick  snort  and  sprang  sidewise  into  the  air 

151 


THE   BRAND 


and  landed  several  feet  to  the  side  of  the  trail, 
nearly  throwing  Bess  from  the  saddle.  Aston- 
ished at  the  unusual  performance  of  her  horse, 
she  glanced  quickly  about  to  discern  the  cause  of 
this  fear  .  The  next  instant  she  snatched  the  38 
Smith  and  Wesson  from  her  skirt  and  a  sharp 
crack  sounded  as  the  shot  created  a  squirming, 
writhing  mass  in  the  trail  only  a  few  feet  in 
front  of  her.  Davis'  horse  had  also  become 
frightened  at  the  coiled  rattler  and  was  now  al- 
most uncontrollable.  Bess  sprang  from  Maucha- 
cho,  who  had  the  sense  to  know  that  the  snake 
was  now  harmless,  firing  another  shot  into  the 
quivering  streaks  of  drab  and  it  lay  still. 

"Well,  upon  my  word,  Miss  Fletcher,  I  take 
off  my  hat  to  you !"  said  Davis,  as  he  succeeded 
in  quieting  his  horse.  "Who  taught  you  to  be 
such  a  'crack  shot1  and  where  did  you  get  that 
pretty  gun?  Where  did  you  conceal  it,  may  I 
ask?" 

"Come,  cut  the  rattles  off  for  me  and  put 
them  in  my  hat-band,  Mr.  Davis!  This  is  the 
first  thing  I've  shot  with  my  pistol  which  Henry 
West  gave  me  only  today  as  a  present,  because  I 
had  learned  to  shoot  so  well  under  his  direc- 
tions," answered  the  excited  girl. 

"Eleven  rattles  and  a  button !  Just  like  his !" 
She  could  not  resist  a  tiny  shudder  of  aversion  as 
she  placed  the  sombrero  with  its  new  decoration 
upon  her  head.  Yet  she  knew  that  Henry  West's 
face  would  light  up  with  gratification  when  he 
saw  her  trophy. 

152 


CHAPTEK  XVIII. 

MAUCHAOHO  WINS  THE  RACE 

"Come,  folks,  hurry,  hurry!  I  can  hear  the 
Indians'  drums  already !"  cried  Bess,  as  she  ran 
through  the  hall  and  downstairs. 

Several  guests  who  had  come  from  Kalispell 
the  day  before  to  see  the  Indian  celebration  were 
with  Mrs.  West  in  the  living-room. 

James  Fletcher  and  Henry  West,  together 
with  the  other  gentlemen  of  the  party,  were  wait- 
ing at  the  gate  with  several  extra  saddle  horses. 
Mrs.  West  expected  to  drive  and  call  for  Mrs. 
White  on  the  way  through  Poison.  The  site  se- 
lected for  the  various  races  and  Indian  dances 
was  on  a  level  stretch  of  county  South  and  East 
from  Poison.  As  the  merry  party  mounted  their 
horses  and  started  they  soon  came  in  sight  of  the 
large  crowd  which  had  already  congregated. 
The  incessant  muffled  sound  of  the  tom-toms  or 
the  loud  cry  of  an  Indian,  came  to  their  ears  as 
they  urged  the  horses  so  that  they  might  not  miss 
any  of  the  performances. 

The  first  sight  which  attracted  them  was  a 
number  of  squaws  and  bucks  who  were  seated  on 
either  side  of  a  log  rapping  upon  it  with  sticks. 
The  squaws  sang  in  weird  monotones  in  time 
with  their  sounding  sticks;  and  occasionally  a 
buck  joined  them  for  a  few  notes  as  if  to  give  the 
song  a  greater  impetus.  With  a  swift  motion  and 

153 


THE   BRAND 


a  sharp  cry  one  of  the  bucks  pointed  with  his 
stick  at  another  Indian  who  sat  opposite  him 
only  further  down  the  line.  Instantly  the  inusie 
(if  indeed  it  could  be  called  music)  ceased,  and 
each  one  in  this  gambling  game  looked  expectant- 
ly to  see  if  the  Indian  designated  held  in  his  hand 
the  piece  of  bone  which  had  been  passed  deftly, 
and  with  no  little  sleight  of  hand,  from  one  to  an- 
other. A  look  of  sheer  disappointment  came  into 
his  face,  however,  and  he  placed  a  forfeit  with 
the  opposing  side.  Again  the  song  and  drum- 
ming were  resumed  more  vigorously  than  before, 
the  result  this  time  was  that  one  of  the  bucks 
arose,  removed  his  blanket  and  stalked  away, 
amid  calls  and  words  of  derision  and  laughter 
from  the  others. 

West  suggested  that  the  party  move  on  and 
seek  some  shady  place  where  they  might  rest  and 
view  the  dances.  They  had  not  long  to  wait,  for 
presently  they  saw  marching  towards  them  a 
long  file  of  brilliantly  dressed  Indians,  squaws, 
papooses  and  larger  children.  The  squaws  were 
gorgeous  in  flaming  reds  and  yellows,  in  purple 
velvet  or  red  satin,  in  greens  and  even  one  in 
pink,  with  floating  ribbons  and  flashing  beads 
and  ornaments.  They  sang  in  high,  shrill  tones 
to  the  accompaniment  of  the  tom-tom,  which  was 
carried  by  four  stalwart  bucks  beating  vigor- 
ously and  marching  ahead. 

The  Indians  in  the  procession  now  began 
forming  a  circle  with  the  squaws  and  the  drum- 
mers in  the  center  where  they  squatted  upon  the 

154 


MAUCHACHO   WINS   THE  RACE 

ground.  Now  the  tom-toms  assumed  a  different 
tempo,  the  nasal,  piercing  singing  of  the  squaws 
began  anew,  and  simultaneously,  at  a  certain  note 
in  the  music,  all  the  Indians  began  the  dance.  To 
some,  it  looked  like  a  confused  mass  of  bending, 
jumping,  moving  beings,  each  of  whom  seemed 
bent  upon  going  through  the  greatest  contor- 
tions. But  when  one  observed  closely  it  was  seen 
that  at  a  certain  beat  of  the  drum  the  heels  came 
to  the  ground,  then  the  toes  or  the  whole  foot. 
Their  bodies  moved  forward  and  backward  in 
graceful  savagery.  See  their  gorgeous  blankets 
sway !  How  the  festoons  of  feathers  and  fixings 
wave  with  each  movement  of  their  supple  bodies ; 
watch  the  interested  expression  on  the  faces !  See 
that  tall,  slender  buck  with  a  whirl  of  eagle  feath- 
ers hanging  down  his  back;  hear  the  bells  about 
his  ankles  as  they  jingle  in  perfect  rhythm  to  the 
song  and  drum!  Now  he  has  bent  forward  till 
the  feathers  in  his  hair  sweep  the  dust!  Back- 
ward he  sways  and  his  knees  fairly  touch  his 
face !  See  his  eyes  gleam,  how  eager  is  his  whole 
face!  How  his  hands  lift  high  the  war  imple- 
ment with  its  decoration  of  eagle  feathers ! 

But  hark,  the  music  ceases,  and  at  one  shrill 
note  the  dancers  stop.  Already  each  brow  is 
dripping  with  beads  of  sweat.  Now  one  Indian, 
straight,  strong,  lithe  of  limb,  steps  alone  upon 
the  trodden  circle.  The  sun  makes  his  almost 
nude  body  gleam  like  burnished  copper  and  daz- 
zles the  beads  upon  his  belt  and  bracelets.  A 
large  war  bonnet  of  weasel  skins  and  eagle  feath- 

155 


THE   BRAND 


ers,  with  two  curved  buffalo  horns,  covers  his 
head  and  falls  down  his  back  till  it  nearly  touches 
the  ground.  Bells  tinkle  upon  his  moccasins  and 
at  his  wrists.  As  he  steps  out  from  among  the 
others,  cries  of  approval  are  heard  upon  all  sides, 
and  Bess  knows  that  he  must  be  some  extraordi- 
nary Indian.  Turning  to  West  she  asked  who 
the  Indian  was,  who  was  about  to  dance,  and 
what  the  dance  was  to  be. 

"He  is  Two  Feathers,  and  is  noted  for  his 
wonderful  dancing.  This  is  to  be  the  snake 
dance,  I  think,"  replied  Henry  West,  as  he  moved 
Mauchacho  to  a  better  position  for  the  benefit  of 
Bess.  Glancing  about  to  see  that  his  guests  also 
had  a  good  view,  he  rode  Eagle  over  to  the  car- 
riage where  his  mother  and  several  other  ladies 
were  seated.  Assuring  himself  that  they  were 
comfortable  and  could  see  the  sport,  he  started 
to  return  to  Bess'  side  when  he  saw  to  his  chagrin 
that  Mr.  Davis,  the  Indian  Agent,  had  just  as- 
sumed that  position.  The  girl  greeted  Mr.  Davis, 
and  was  introducing  him  to  her  companions, 
when  she  noticed  West  standing  aloof  from  the 
others.  In  response  to  a  gesture  from  her  he 
came  quickly  to  her  side.  "Please  stay  here,  Hen- 
ry ;  I  want  you  to  tell  me  about  the  dances." 

Eeluctant  though  he  was  to  be  near  Davis 
and  to  be  compelled  to  speak  with  him,  he  did  as 
she  requested.  Dismounting,  he  leaned  an  arm 
across  the  saddle,  and  only  occasionally  lifted  his 
face  to  Bess'  in  response  to  her  questions  during 
the  dance. 

156 


MAUGHACHO   WINS  THE  RACE 

But  she  was  now  all  absorbed  in  the  graceful 
undulations  of  the  dancer.  See  how  he  stretches 
out  his  neck  and  writhes  his  body  like  a  huge  rep- 
tile, curving  now  to  the  right,  till  his  face  nearly 
touches  his  shoulder,  and  swiftly  moving  forward 
and  again  to  the  left,  in  long,  gliding  vibrations ! 
Some  of  his  manoeuvers  were  so  suggestive  of  a 
living  snake,  that  Bess  could  feel  her  flesh  creep. 
When  the  music  increased,  the  singing  of  the 
squaws  shrieked  higher  and  shriller,  the  dancer 
thrust  forth  his  head  and  hissed.  She  impulsive- 
ly threw  up  her  hands  which  came  in  unexpected 
contact  with  the  decoration  on  her  sombrero.  She 
gave  a  little,  nervous  scream  as  she  felt  the  rat- 
tles quiver  under  her  touch.  West  glanced  quick- 
ly at  her  and  asked  anxiously  if  she  were  ill.  Be- 
fore she  could  reply,  however,  Davis  said,  "Real- 
ly Bess,  this  exhibition  of  savagery  is  rather  hard 
on  your  nerves.  Let  me  take  you  away !" 

He  looked  with  insolent  eyes  at  Henry  West 
who  met  the  gaze  without  a  tremor  of  the  eye- 
lashes. 

"It  is  not  that  which  made  me  act  so  silly.  I 
unconsciously  touched  these  things  on  my  hat 
and  they  always  send  the  shivers  through  me.  I 
could  not  bear  them  at  all,  except  that  they  are 
my  first  trophy." 

"Are  you  coining  with  me?"  asked  Davis,  as 
he  began  to  turn  his  horse's  head. 

"Oh,  no ;  for  see,  all  the  others  are  now  join- 
ing Two  Feathers  in  the  snake  ceremony  !  See ! 

157 


THE    BRAND 


even  those  small  boys  are  dancing  like  old  war- 
riors !" 

Forward  and  backward  swayed  the  circle  of 
dancers,  undulating  in  and  out  past  each  other; 
bending  their  bodies  low  towards  the  ground 
with  a  creeping  movement  until  they  seemed  like 
a  huge,  squirming  mass  of  bright  colored  and 
winged  reptiles.  Tn  measured  tread  they  danced, 
they  swayed,  they  moved,  in  perfect  time  to  the 
singing  of  the  squaws  and  the  hollow  sounding 
drum.  Their  heels  struck  the  earth  with  such 
unison  that  one  could  feel  the  vibrations.  Would 
they  never  tire? 

West  asked  to  be  excused,  as  he  wished  to  pre- 
pare his  horses  for  the  relay  race  which  was  to 
begin  later.  The  fact  was,  he  felt  himself  grow- 
ing hot  and  angry  in  Davis'  presence  and  feared 
that  something  might  occur  to  make  him  lose  his 
self-control.  Once  during  the  conversation  Davis 
had  asked  Henry  West  why  he  had  not  joined  in 
the  dance.  Bess  did  not  see  the  smiling  sneer  as 
he  asked  the  question,  and  consequently  thought 
it  was  only  meant  for  a  joke. 

"Fancy  Henry  dancing  with  the  Indians  and 
with  a  blanket  on,"  laughed  Bess,  as  she  patted 
him  on  the  shoulder  and  looked  at  him  with 
saucy,  smiling  eyes  from  under  her  fluffy  hair. 
She  could  not  know  that  the  malicious  remark 
>">f  Davis  cut  West  like  a  knife,  and  did  not  under- 
stand that  the  purport  of  the  words  was — "why 
do  you  not  go  where  you  belong  instead  of  mingl- 
ing with  white  people."  For  a  brief  moment 

158 


MAUCHACHO   WINS   THE  RACE 

West  looked  at  Davis,  who  quickly  turned  his 
face;  then  he  said  carelessly  and  indifferently, 
"I  know  all  those  dances,  Miss  Bess,  and  perhaps 
some  day  you  may  be  applauding  me  instead  of 
Two  Feathers." 

As  he  lifted  his  broad-brimmed  hat  to  her  and 
the  others  in  the  party,  he  sprang  to  the  saddle 
with  one  easy  swing  of  his  leg,  reined  Eagle 
abruptly  about  and  started  swiftly  away.  Davis 
looked  at  Bess  as  she  watched  Henry  West,  feel- 
ing no  little  chagrin  at  her  look.  She  seemed  to 
lose  interest  in  the  dances  now  that  he  was  gone, 
and  though  Davis  tried  to  point  out  the  especial 
features  of  the  Sun  dance  and  Medicine  dance, 
she  watched  them  half-interestedly. 

"Come — let  us  see  if  the  others  have  not  had 
quite  enough  by  this  time,"  said  Bess,  after  the 
Indians  had  given  two  more  long,  fantastic 
dances. 

As  the  horses  were  brought  out  for  the  relay 
race,  and  the  party  moved  to  be  nearer  the  track 
Bess  again  became  filled  with  excitement.  James 
had  explained  to  her  that  this  race  was  ten  miles, 
or  around  the  half-mile  track  twenty  times ;  there 
were  three  entries  and  each  rider  could  have 
three  horses.  They  were  to  change  horses,  re- 
saddle  and  re-mount  unassisted,  except  that 
some-one  could  help  in  holding  the  horses  after 
each  mile.  The  rider  completing  in  the  quickest 
time,  of  course,  won  the  prize.  Bess  had  only  eyes 
for  Henry  West  as  he  led  his  horses  down  the 
track  to  the  starting  point.  One  horse  was  al- 

159 


THE   BRAND 


ready  saddled,  and  walking-  by  West's  side  was 
the  Indian  who  was  to  ride  his  horses. 

Presently  the  other  men  with  their  horses  and 
riders  were  ready.  The  three  Indians  mounted; 
the  crowd  was  waved  back  out  of  the  way ;  every- 
one grew  expectant  and  interested.  At  the  crack 
of  a  pistol  the  horses  were  off  like  a  flash  amid 
clouds  of  dust.  Evidently  they  were  not  new  at 
this  kind  of  racing  and  were  eager  for  the  sport. 
As  they  sped  around  the  track  they  were  almost 
abreast,  and  as  the  mile  was  nearly  run  West's 
horse  was  a  length  behind  the  other  two.  As 
they  neared  the  wire  where  each  horse  was  being 
held  ready  to  receive  its  saddle  and  respective 
rider,  each  slackened  his  pace  and  now  simul- 
taneously the  three  riders  slid  from  their  horses, 
quickly  unbuckled  the  saddles,  flung  them  upon 
the  waiting  horses,  and  with  quick  and  sure  fin- 
gers girted  them,  remounted  and  were  off !  Swift 
Arrow,  the  Indian  riding  for  West,  had  changed 
his  saddle  so  quickly  that  his  horse  was  r6ady  to 
start  when  the  others  were.  This  second  horse 
kept  apace  with  the  others  and  toward  the  end  of 
the  half  mile  was  gaining  slightly.  One  of  the 
other  horses  suddenly  bolted  off  the  track,  and 
by  the  time  the  rider  had  him  under  control  he 
was  at  least  a  quarter  behind.  Again  at  the 
change  Swift  Arrow's  deft  fingers  had  adjusted 
the  saddle,  remounted  and  was  off  before  the  sec- 
ond Indian  had  fairly  gained  his  feet.  On  and 
on  they  rode,  first  one  gaining,  then  the  other 
ahead  according  to  the  fleetness  of  the  horses. 

160 


MAUCHACHO   WINS   THE  RACE 

How  the  crowd  cheered  as  the  favorite  horse 
came  in  ahead!  How  they  shouted  as  Louie 
pounded  his  heels  into  the  horse's  sides  in  vain ! 
See,  here  he  comes  at  last,  a  half  lap  behind  the 
other  two,  with  his  shirt  flopping  in  the  wind  and 
one  of  his  leggings  hanging  down  over  the  stir- 
rup. As  he  passes  the  man  who  holds  his  horses 
the  legging  is  caught  and  jerked  free.  Again  the 
others  have  remounted  and  gone,  as  Louie  comes 
steaming  up,  half  falling  as  the  other  loosened 
legging  dangles  at  his  feet.  His  long  braids  have 
become  untied,  and  now  the  black,  straight  hair 
with  its  single  feather  is  standing  straight  out 
with  the  breeze.  Nothing  daunted,  with  his  flee- 
ing companions  already  nearly  a  mile  ahead,  he 
bends  low  over  his  horse  and  rides  as  only  an  In- 
dian can.  Seven  miles  are  run!  Swift  Arrow 
still  leading !  The  eighth  begun !  Look !  What 
attracts  West,  as  he  runs  hurriedly  across  the 
track?  His  keen  eye  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  sad- 
dle as  Swift  Arrow  sped  past!  See,  now,  it  is 
surely  loose!  Will  he  be  able  to  hold  until  the 
end  of  the  mile?  Here  he  comes  dashing  for- 
ward !  Already  he  seems  to  be  beginning  to  dis- 
mount! Look.  The  horse  suddenly  turns,  and 
the  loosened  saddle  with  the  rider  are  flung  to 
the  ground  almost  at  West's  feet!  The  fright- 
ened horse  plunges  and  is  gone.  Two  men  quick- 
ly draw  the  stunned  Indian  to  one  side  and 
shouts  of  "West !  West !"  are  heard  coming  from 
the  excited  crowd. 

"Oh !    Will  he  be  able  to  finish  the  race,"  cried 

161 


THE    BRAND 


Bess,  excitedly  to  James,  who  stood  near  Mau- 
chacho. 

"His  other  two  horses  cannot  stand  it  to  run 
alternately  now,  surely/'  replied  her  brother, 
"and  already  both  the  others  are  ahead!  See, 
here  comes  Nedreau's  horse  on  the  finish  of  the 
eighth,  and  West  has  still  the  last  half  of  the 
eighth  to  go.  He  might  as  well  give  up." 

West  had  assured  himself  that  Swift  Arrow 
was  not  seriously  injured,  and  then  lifting  his 
sombrero  to  the  calling  crowd,  snatched  the  sad- 
dle from  the  ground,  threw  it  upon  the  resisting 
horse,  fastened  it,  leaped  upon  the  horse  and  was 
off !  His  head  fairly  touched  the  horse's  neck  as 
he  bent  over,  and  in  a  steady  voice  urged  the  ani- 
mal into  even  greater  speed!  Nedreau's  rider 
was  already  mounted  and  off  as  West  came  up 
the  half-mile  with  Louie  not  far  behind.  He  re- 
saddled  to  begin  the  ninth  mile,  but  the  tired, 
restive  horse  did  not  gain  a  foot  over  the  others. 
Bess  could  not  sit  still  in  her  saddle.  "That  is 
not  fair,"  she  cried,  "for  they  have  three  horses 
and  Henry  only  two !"  She  saw  with  trepidation 
that  his  horse  was  falling  far  behind,  and  knew 
that  he  could  not  go  much  farther. 

Before  any  of  her  companions  was  aware  of 
her  purpose,  Bess  gave  Mauchacho  a  quick  cut 
with  the  quirt  and  flew  across  the  intervening 
space  to  the  man  holding  West's  horse  ready  for 
the  remount.  Bess  sprang  to  the  ground,  unfast- 
ened and  jerked  off  the  saddle  and  thrust  the 
reins  into  the  man's  hands  just  as  West  came  up. 

162 


MAUCHACHO   WINS  THE  RACE 

He  had  seen  the  girl  as  he  neared  the  wire,  and 
quickly  divined  her  purpose.  She  sprang  back 
out  of  the  way  and  cried,  "Take  Mauchacho,  take 
my  Bird !  Win  the  race  for  me !" 

At  first  the  crowd  could  not  see  what  was  go- 
ing on,  and  when  the  girl's  purpose  dawned  upon 
them  they  cheered  and  shouted  wildly.  Cries  of 
"Bide,"  "Go  win,"  "Mount  the  Bird,"  came  to 
the  breed's  ears,  and  he  threw  his  saddle  upon  the 
anxious,  eager  animal  and  was  off. 

See  how  easily  he  starts ;  he  even  leans  over  to 
pat  the  horse's  neck ;  he  does  not  seem  to  care  nor 
to  notice  that  Nedreau's  Indian  is  almost  a  half 
ahead!  Now  he  is  bending  low  over  the  saddle 
till  man  and  horse  seem  one;  neither  hear  the 
cries  and  shouts  as  they  begin  the  last  half  of  the 
race.  On  Mauchacho  speeds — swiftly,  steadily; 
nearer,  nearer,  nearer  the  otner  horse!  Almost 
to  the  other's  tail !  A  leap  and  they  are  even !  A 
stretch,  and  his  nose  is  ahead!  One  supreme 
effort  and  daylight  is  between  the  two  horses, 
just  as  they  pass  under  the  wire  amid  frantic 
cries,  tossing  hats  and  waving  handkerchiefs.  In 
a  moment  the  cheers  were  changed  to  laughter  as 
poor  Louie  came  trotting  under  the  wire,  dressed 
only  in  his  feather,  so  strenuous  had  been  his  ex- 
ertions. 

Bess  stood  alone  near  the  track,  her  hands 
clasped  together.  Not  even  a  cry  escaped  her  lips 
as  she  saw,  not  West,  but  Mauchacho  win  the 
race. 

As  soon  as  West  could  slow  the  horse  and 

163 


THE   BRAND 


bring  him  back  before  the  judges,  he  heard  the 
starter  announce  that  "West  had  won  the  race." 
West  sprang  to  the  ground,  gave  the  reins  to  a 
man  standing  near,  and  entered  the  judges' 
stand. 

"I  did  not  win  this  race,  gentlemen;  I  had 
no  right  to  take  a  fresh  horse ;  the  money  goes  to 
Nedreau  and  Louie,"  and  before  they  could  offer 
any  protest  he  had  gone.  As  he  led  Mauchacho 
over  to  the  waiting  and  now  smiling  mistress, 
West  paused  a  moment  as  he  heard  the  announce- 
ment of  the  correction  of  the  race,  and  felt  re- 
lieved as  he  saw  the  two  Indians  receive  the 
prize. 

Bess  flung  her  arms  about  Mauchacho's  neck 
and  happy  tears  filled  her  eyes.  "You  beauty !  I 
had  no  idea  that  you  could  go  so  like  a  bird !  Oh, 
you  dear !"  and  she  patted  his  neck  and  kissed  his 
nose  just  as  the  men  threw  a  blanket  over  him 
and  led  him  away  to  be  cooled  off. 

Henry  West  was  just  about  to  take  Bess  back 
to  her  companions,  when  he  turned  and  directly 
faced  Dave  Davis. 

"Come,  Bess — permit  me  to  take  you  away 
from  here.  What  prompted  you  to  do  such  a 
strange  thing?  Besides,  the  race  was  unfair  and 
West  did  not  win,"  he  said,  as  he  glanced  with 
lowering  eyes  at  the  man  by  her  side. 

"It  may  not  have  been  fair,  Mr.  Davis,  but  it 
was  a  mighty  fine  race !  I  will  go  back  to  Mrs. 
West  with  Henry,  thank  you,"  and  she  gave  him 

164 


MAUCHACHO   WINS   THE  RACE 

a  queer  smile  as  she  left  him,  which  he  did  not 
quite  understand. 

"Please,  little  Mother — now,  James,  don't 
both  of  you  look  so.  I  just  had  to  have  Henry 
win  that  race,  even  though  it  took  Mauchacho 
and  me  both  to  help  him  do  it !" 

"Well,  sister,  we  can't  truthfully  call  you  a 
tenderfoot  any  longer." 

"How  long  have  you  been  in  the  West,  Miss 
Fletcher?"  asked  one  of  the  company,  as  he 
looked  at  the  happy,  satisfied  expression  on  the 
girl's  face.  Bess  turned  her  full,  brown  eyes  to 
the  man's  face,  but  for  the  moment  she  did  not 
speak.  Unconsciously  she  had  slid  her  fingers 
into  Henry  West's  brown  hand  as  he  stood  near 
to  her,  but  did  not  heed  its  tremor  nor  faint  pres- 
sure. Then  her  eyes  sought  the  deep,  blue  hills 
with  the  soft  masses  of  white,  fleecy  clouds  crown- 
ing their  crests  and  the  verdant  pines  caressing 
their  feet. 

"How  long!  Oh,  how  long?  When  was  I  not 
here?  Here  my  heart  has  been  since  God's  di- 
vine touch  first  made  those  hills !  Here  my  soul 
shall  be  when  they  have  passed  away!"  replied 
the  girl,  her  head  raised  toward  the  deepening 
shadows  on  the  crests. 

Then  came  the  evening  with  its  cool  and 
quiet;  with  its  rest  and  peace;  with  its  quiver- 
ing stars  and  pale  radiance  of  the  moon. 


165 


CHAPTER  XIX 

THE  STRENGTH  OF  A  BEADED  BELT 

It  was  a  beautiful  morning  toward  the  end  of 
August  when  Bess  Fletcher  donned  her  new 
brown  riding  skirt,  which  her  deft  fingers  had 
just  completed,  and  came  out  to  her  waiting 
horse.  The  weather  during  the  few  previous 
weeks  had  been  unusually  hot  and  dry,  so  that 
riding  had  been  anything  but  pleasant.  James 
and  Henry  had  been  busy  with  the  hay  crop,  and 
Mrs.  *West  and  Bess  had  spent  the  time  with  their 
sewing  and  reading.  During  the  night  it  rained, 
a  gentle,  copious  rain — the  first  in  weeks.  Every- 
thing was  refreshed,  and  everyone's  spirits  were 
aroused  from  enervation  and  lethargy.  The  girl 
sniffed  the  fresh,  scented  air  as  she  drew  on  her 
riding  gloves.  How  the  perfume  from  the  re- 
freshed pines  and  firs  came  floating  across  from 
the  hills!  The  great  stacks  of  new  hay  emitted 
an  intoxicating  odor,  and  busy  bees  buzzed  about, 
drunk  with  sweetness. 

Mrs.  West  had  come  to  the  gate  to  make  a  re- 
quest just  as  Bess  placed  her  foot  into  the  stir- 
rup and  was  adjusting  her  divided  skirt  as  she 
seated  herself  in  the  saddle.  Her  well-groomed 
horse  shone  like  satin,  and  his  dainty  foot  per- 
sistently pawed  the  damp  earth,  impatient  for  a 
run  after  his  long  confinement  and  rest.  Bess 

166 


THE  STRENGTH  OF  A  BEADED  BELT 

leaned  over  and  was  patting  the  arched  neck  and 
trying  to  quiet  him  with  soft  words  as  she  gath- 
ered from  Mrs.  West  the  several  errands  to  be 
done. 

"And  then,  little  Mother,  after  I  have  seen 
Mrs.  White  for  you,  do  you  mind  if  I  cross  on  the 
ferry  and  ride  over  toward  Paul  Trahan's  ranch 
to  meet  James  and  Henry  on  their  return?" 

"Are  you  quite  sure,  dear,  that  you  can  find 
the  place?  It  is  at  least  ten  miles  from  the 
ferry,"  replied  Mrs.  West,  and  in  her  voice  rang 
a  solicitous  tone. 

"Oh,  yes !  You  need  not  feel  alarmed.  I  am 
sure  I  could  find  the  ranch,  but  most  likely  I'll 
meet  the  boys  long  before  I  reach  it,"  assured 
Bess,  as  she  touched  Mauchacho  with  the  quirt 
and  then  threw  a  dainty  kiss  to  the  white-haired 
woman  whose  face  still  wore  an  anxious  look. 

A  sharp  pang  clutched  at  the  gentle  woman's 
heart  as  she  watched  the  rider  melting  into  the 
distance.  She  had  scarcely  thought  before  that 
sooner  or  later  Bess  might  be  so  melting  out  of 
her  life — that  life  of  which  she  had  grown  to  be 
such  an  integral  part.  How  unconsciously  had 
her  love  grown  day  by  day !  How  dependent  had 
she  become  upon  the  girl's  judgment  and  sugges- 
tions! And  yet,  the  day  was  surely  inevitable 
whose  declining  rays  would  not  linger  on  a  sweet, 
girlish  face  near  the  window,  but  rather  pierce  a 
woman's  heart  with  loneliness  and  pain. 

"But  then,"  she  thought,  "it  will  be  a  long 
time  yet  before  Mr.  Davis  will  take  her  away 

167 


THE   BRAND 


and  leave  my  arms  empty  once  more,  and  doubly 
lone." 

Bess  stood  at  her  horse's  head  patting  his  soft, 
sleek  nose  as  the  Indian  rowed  them  across  the 
Pend  d'  Oreille  on  the  crude  ferry  boat.  The 
only  other  passengers  were  a  round-faced,  fat 
squaw  and  two  struggling  papooses.  At  first 
Bess  was  oblivious  to  everything  about  her,  when 
suddenly  she  was  attracted  by  a  shrill  cry  and 
turned  just  in  time  to  jump  to  the  edge  and 
snatch  a  wet,  wriggling  bunch  of  humanity  out 
of  the  water.  Such  a  jargon  of  words  as  were 
meted  out  to  the  would-be  voyager  for  his  ven- 
turesomeness ! 

Bess  quickly  fastened  Mauchacho's  bridle 
about  the  railing  and  soon  had  the  sobbing,  be- 
draggled victim  snuggled  in  her  arms.  What  did 
it  matter  to  her  if  his  skin  was  red  or  his  hair 
matted!  Was  he  not  a  baby  in  distress?  The 
squaw  looked  with  interest  and  wonder  at  the 
comforter;  and  finally  when  the  howlings  had 
ceased  and  only  nervous  little  sobs  came  forth 
convulsively,  she  touched  Bess  on  the  arm  and 
motioned  that  she  would  take  the  child.  It  did 
the  girl's  heart  good  to  see  him  snuggle  down  un- 
der the  folds  of  the  bright  blanket  like  a  little 
wet  chicken  seeking  the  warmth  and  comfort  of 
its  mother's  wing. 

Again,  just  as  the  nose  of  the  ferry  was  scrap- 
ing on  the  pebbles  at  the  landing,  the  squaw 
touched  Bess  upon  the  arm.  She  could  not  resist 
the  silent  appeal  in  the  woman's  eyes  as  she  held 

168 


THE  STRENGTH  OF  A  BEADED  BELT 

up  for  Bess'  acceptance  a  beautifully  beaded  belt. 
At  first  Bess  quietly  and  smilingly  pushed  aside 
the  proffered  gift,  but  the  look  of  disappoint- 
ment given  her  caused  her  to  relent,  and  then 
she  fastened  it  securely  around  her  own  trim 
waist. 

"Thank  you,  very  much;  it  shall  always  re- 
mind me  of  you  and  the  baby  who  nearly  went 
down  the  stream." 

"You  love  him  papoose?  You  hold  Injun 
baby?  You  no  care?"  asked  the  woman,  as  she 
saw  with  gratified  eyes  her  treasure  worn  by  the 
white  girl. 

"I  do  not  care  if  he  is  a  papoose — he  is  one 
of  God's  children,"  Bess  answered,  and  the 
woman  understood. 

The  little  incident  was  soon  quite  out  of  the 
girl's  mind,  and  only  recurred  as  she  touched  the 
belt  with  her  fingers  or  felt  its  dangling  ends  beat 
regularly  against  her  side  as  Mauchacho  galloped 
across  the  range.  She  had  never  before  been  in 
this  direction,  and  all  the  hills  and  rocks  held  a 
new  interest  for  her.  Several  times  she  checked 
her  horse  and  slid  quickly  from  her  saddle  to  in- 
spect some  odd-looking  stones,  or  to  pluck  some 
strange,  new  flower.  Was  not  this  tour  of  explor- 
ation fine!  Perhaps  she  might  discover  some- 
thing never  seen  nor  heard  of  before!  It  surely 
seemed  as  if  no  one  had  ever  set  foot  here,  and  as 
if  she  had  come  alone  into  an  undiscovered  and 
unexplored  land.  What  fun  to  feel  such  utter 
isolation  and  possession!  Riotous  thoughts  of 

169 


THE    BRAND 


adventure  and  daring  and  possible  danger  surged 
through  the  girl's  mind  as  her  horse  carried  her 
on  and  further  on  into  new  places  and  over 
strange  paths. 

With  a  start  she  came  out  of  her  reverie,  and 
straightening  up  in  the  saddle  began  to  wonder 
at  the  time  of  day.  Unheeded  miles  had  passed 
under  Mauchacho's  hoofs,  and  the  slanting  sun 
told  her  that  the  hour  was  late. 

"Keally,  the  boys  ought  to  be  coming  soon.  I 
am  sure — that  is,  I  feel  almost  certain  this  is 
the  right  place.  Still,  it  seems  so  far  back  to  the 
last  ranch !  Oh,  well,  I'll  just  let  Mauchacho  nib- 
ble, and  I'll  take  a  look  around  that  bunch  of 
thorn-apple  shrubs." 

She  began  to  sing  softly  and  confidently  as 
she  loosened  the  cinch  and  pulled  the  saddle  and 
blanket  off  the  horse's  wet  back.  He  shook  him- 
self with  a  grunt  of  satisfaction  and  began  at 
once  to  seek  out  the  most  tender  grasses. 

"Be  a  good  boy  till  I  come  back,  won't  you?" 
Bess  gave  him  a  sounding  slap  on  his  wet  shoul- 
der that  caused  him  to  lift  his  tail  with  a  "please- 
don't-bother-nie"  flirt. 

The  sun  was  fervent  and  Bess  walked  hur- 
riedly on  to  reach  the  shade  of  the  thorns.  She 
reached  up  and  plucked  some  of  the  plump,  ripe, 
red  thorn-apples,  and  enjoyed  munching  them  as 
she  wandered  idly  on.  Far  ahead  of  her  she  dis- 
cerned, by  shading  her  eyes  with  her  hand,  a 
large  herd  of  cattle.  At  first  she  could  not  tell  if 
they  were  being  driven  or  wheftier  they  were 

170 


THE  STRENGTH  OF  A   BEADED  BELT 

simply  eating.  As  they  created  no  clouds  of  dust 
nor  seemed  to  be  coming  any  nearer  she  decided 
it  could  not  be  the  cattle  she  expected  to  meet  be- 
ing driven  by  her  brother  and  Henry.  Just  then 
there  flashed  across  her  mind  an  almost  forgotten 
warning  which  Henry  West  had  given  her.  Here 
she  was,  almost  upon  a  herd  of  wild  cattle  all 
alone  and  off  her  horse !  Had  he  not  told  her  how 
their  curiosity  was  excited  by  seeing  persons 
afoot  with  often  disastrous  results,  and  warned 
her  to  be  sure  and  stay  in  the  saddle  if  she  were 
near  any  of  the  grazing  herds.  Filled  with  sud- 
den alarm  at  her  temerity  she  hurriedly  retraced 
her  steps,  only  to  be  horrified  to  realize  that  she 
could  not  tell  where  to  go.  The  clumps  of  brush 
now  looked  all  alike  and  seemed  only  to  be  a  con- 
fused mass  of  limbs  and  leaves.  There  was  the 
declining  sun  towards  which  she  had  advanced, 
so  now  she  must  retreat  in  the  opposite  direction. 
Yes,  but  should  she  turn  to  the  right  or  the  left? 

For  a  moment  she  stood  trying  to  collect  her 
bewildered  senses.  She  took  her  sombrero  from 
her  dishevelled  hair  and  gave  a  frightened  scream 
as  her  finger-tips  came  in  contact  with  the  rattles 
which  still  adorned  the  band. 

"Oh,  I  just  can't  bear  those  horrid  things  any 
longer,"  she  cried  and  with  a  stick  began  to  tear 
her  trophy  off.  She  had  not  succeeded,  however, 
when  her  attention  was  attracted  by  a  horseman 
riding  far  to  the  left  of  her.  How  madly  he  was 
riding,  bending  low  over  his  horse  till  they 
seemed  like  one!  Bess  watched  the  rider  as  he 

171 


THE   BRAND 


rode  on  swiftly,  then  swerved  to  the  left,  then 
back  again.  He  was  so  indistinct  in  the  hazy  dist- 
ance that  she  could  not  tell  whether  he  rode  like 
an  Indian  or  a  white  man. 

At  first  she  felt  an  impulse  to  call,  but  she 
knew  her  voice  could  not  reach  him  at  that  dist- 
ance. Look,  toward  the  sun !  What  is  that?  A 
wall  of  smoke?  A  cloud  of  rolling,  increasing 
dust,  mounting  higher,  higher,  nearer,  nearer, 
and  caused  only  by  the  rushing,  fleeing  hoofs  of  a 
stampeding  herd! 

Frozen  with  terror  the  girl  stood  irresolute, 
unable  to  decide  whether  to  flee  in  the  hope  that 
she  might  reach  her  horse  or  to  try  to  seek  safety 
among  the  frail  protection  of  the  thorn  shrubs! 
She  could  feel  the  earth  begin  to  tremble  from  the 
rush  of  pounding  hoofs  and  saw  the  ominous 
cloud  rolling  nearer  and  nearer.  There  was  no 
time  to  flee;  no  chance  to  reach  the  trees;  only 
now  could  she  rush  to  that  projecting  boulder 
and  cast  her  body  close  against  it  in  the  hope 
that  the  frantic  steers  might  not  crumble  it  in 
pieces  in  their  mad  onslaught. 

What  was  that  she  heard?  She  hesitated  an 
instant  as  she  neared  the  rock  whose  unpromis- 
ing shelter  she  sought.  Surely  she  heard  some- 
one calling  her  name.  "Bess — Bess,"  the  agon- 
ized tones  came  to  her  ears !  Where  from,  from 
whom  came  that  ray  of  hope?  Now  she  reached 
the  rock.  Standing  boldly  upon  it  she  placed  her 
hands  to  her  lips  in  a  rounded  funnel  and 
screamed  with  all  her  strength,  again  and  again. 

172 


THE  STRENGTH  OF  A  BEADED  BELT 

Like  a  flash  across  and  from  out  the  cloud  of 
dust  shot  Eagle !  She  saw  the  red  in  his  nostrils 
as  he  leaped  directly  toward  her,  a  fleck  of  foam 
struck  her  face — and  then — and  then  a  vise 
clutched  the  beaded  buckskin  belt;  some  Her- 
culean arm  tore  her  from  the  pedestal  and  hot, 
swiftly  drawn  breaths  moistened  her  cheek  and 
neck.  She  felt  herself  flying  through  obscure 
space!  She  felt  her  breath  gripped  out  of  her 
body  by  some  terrible,  encircling  pressure.  What 
dreadful  creature  held  her  in  such  a  death-like 
grip? 

She  lifted  her  hands  and  felt  the  rough  bris- 
tles on  a  man's  cheeks,  then  let  them  slide  to- 
gether about  his  tense  neck  in  a  tenacious  hold. 
A  firm,  stirruped  foot  supported  one  of  hers  and 
she  let  her  weight  settle  upon  it.  Each  breath 
she  drew  was  impregnated  with  stifling  dust, 
while  surging  in  her  ears  was  the  bellowing  of 
frantic  steers  and  thundering  of  a  thousand 
hoofs !  Would  those  mad,  fleeing  creatures  never 
cease;  would  they  never  swerve;  would  they  ever 
keep  gaining?  What  if  Eagle  should  stumble! 
What  if  his  double  burden  should  prove  greater 
than  his  strength?  The  terrifying  thought  made 
the  girl's  arms  cling  all  the  more  firmly  about 
the  rigid  neck  and  made  her  heart  beat  with  ach- 
ing throbs  in  her  parched  throat!  She  placed 
her  lips  close  to  the  man's  ear  and  in  an  agonized 
and  almost  inaudible  voice  cried,  "Hurry,  for 
God's  sake,  hurry !" 

Instantly  she  felt  the  horse  make  a  supreme 
173 


THE    BRAND 


leap,  another  and  yet  more,  till  soon,  through  her 
half-opened  eye-lids  the  girl  could  see  that  the 
enveloping  cloud  of  dirt  and  dust  was  falling  be- 
hind. Now  a  steady,  even  voice  was  saying, 
"Slow,  old  boy!  Easy,  easy!  All  right  Eagle; 
take  your  time,  boy !  Slow,  slow !"  Bess  could 
feel  the  arm's  muscles  relaxing  with  the  slacken- 
ing speed  of  the  horse;  hear  a  deep,  indrawn 
breath  of  relief,  and  see  through  the  dust-covered 
hair  which  nearly  veiled  her  face,  a  man's  fea- 
tures o'er  spread  with  grime,  yet  white  with  pal- 
lor. 

As  Eagle  came  to  a  stop  she  felt  herself  gent- 
ly lowered  to  the  ground  and  supported  by  her 
rescuer  who  dismounted  at  the  same  instant. 
Lifting  her  hands  whose  fingers  were  still  stiff 
.from  their  tenacity,  she  pushed  the  dishevelled 
hair  far  back  from  her  eyes  and  forehead  and 
stood  gazing  with  thankfulness  and  gratitude 
into  the  deep  glowing  eyes.  No  words  came  to 
her  lips  nor  was  the  silence  broken  by  the  passive 
man.  It  seemed  that  hours  had  elapsed  since 
Eagle  had  been  relieved  of  his  burden,  when  a 
nervous  unnatural  laugh  came  from  the  now 
quivering  lips  of  Bess. 

"It's  very  dusty  for  such  a  recent  rain,  isn't 
it?"  came  in  a  voice  husky  and  high-strung. 
"Henry — Henry — for  pity's  sake  speak  to  me,  or 
can't, — don't  you  see — see — that  I,  oh  dear — I 
know — I  shall — c-r-y!"  and  already  great  tears 
filled  her  eyes  and  began  coursing  down  her 
flaming  cheeks  through  tiny  streaks  of  mud. 

174 


THE  STRENGTH  OF  A  BEADED  BELT 

"Sit  down  here,  Bess,  till  you  feel  rested. 
Poor  little  girl — it  was  a  dreadful  ordeal,  but  you 
are  brave,  braver  than  a  man  would  have  been." 

Henry  West  seated  himself  near  the  girl 
whose  whole  being  was  torn  with  convulsive  sobs. 
She  had  thrown  herself  on  the  ground  and  buried 
her  face  in  her  arms.  How  he  longed  to  lift  her 
within  his  arms  and  hold  her  tightly  until  the 
storm  of  loosened  terror  might  cease !  Could  he 
only  have  drunk  the  salty  tears  that  rained  upon 
her  face!  Dared  he  only  whisper  in  her  ear  all 
his  love  and  longing!  He  must — must!  He 
could  not,  would  not  be  silent  longer !  She  was 
his  very  own  now — his,  saved  from  the  mangling 
blows  of  wild  beasts.  His  heart  pounded  against 
his  throat  demanding  that  its  pleadings  be  given 
voice !  'With  a  swift  start  and  open  arms  he  bent 
over  the  trembling  form.  His  fingers  closed  hard 
till  the  skin  was  drawn  tight  over  the  knuckles ! 
His  hands  opened,  slowly,  appealingly — eager  to 
enfold  their  treasure,  their  right,  but  only  the 
tips  of  the  fingers  swept  gently,  softly  across  the 
brown,  disordered  tresses.  With  the  long,  gentle 
stroke  the  sobbing  lessened  and  then  at,  length 
ceased. 

Slowly  the  girl  turned  and  faced  the  com- 
forter whose  fingers  still  thrilled  with  the  de- 
licious contact  of  the  dear  head  and  hair.  She 
sought  in  vain  for  a  look  or  word  of  censure 
which  she  imagined  she  deserved.  Instead,  a  dark 
face  was  all  aglow  with  gratitude  and  love,  and 

175 


THE   BRAND 


deep  eyes  spoke  the  words  which  a  guarded  voice 
dared  not  utter. 

"Oh!  Henry — see — blood  on  your  spurs. 
Look  at  Eagle — and  yet  once  you  told  me  that 
you  never  rode  him  with  spurs !" 

As  soon  as  his  attention  had  been  directed  to- 
ward the  almost  forgotten  horse  he  walked  swift- 
ly over  to  Eagle  still  quivering  and  trembling  in 
every  limb. 

"Old  boy — was  it  a  pretty  hard  run?  Brace 
up — don't  give  up — you're  good  for  another," 
West  was  saying  as  he  let  his  solicitous  hands 
touch  here  and  there.  Bess  knew  from  his  man- 
ner that  the  horse  was  really  sick,  although  he 
tried  to  appear  unconcerned.  Henry  began  to 
walk  the  horse  about,  and  it  made  the  girl's  heart 
ache  to  see  the  splendid  limbs  move  with  stiff- 
ness and  pain.  If  there  were  only  something  she 
could  do  to  help ! 

On  she  walked,  close  to  Henry  West's  side, 
now  unconsciously  touching  the  reins  and  now 
patting  the  shoulder  wet  with  beads  of  pain. 
Suddenly — with  an  almost  human  cry  the  horse 
gave  a  plunge  and  fell  to  the  ground !  West  stood 
aside — for  a  moment  immovable  and  still — then 
with  a  reluctant  yet  decisive  movement  drew  his 
gun  from  his  holster.  Bess  sprang  quickly  to  his 
side  and  grasped  both  his  arms  with  her  own! 
Thrusting  up  her  face  till  her  breath  fanned  his 
cheek  she  cried,  "Don't — Henry — he  shall  not 
die !  All  this  just  because  I  forgot  your  warning 
— because  I  am  a  fool — a  horrid — careless  girl !" 

176 


THE  STRENGTH  OF  A  BEADED  BELT 

"He  cannot  live — I  cannot  bear  to  see  him 
suffer.  I  must — shoot — if — I — can !"  Releasing 
his  right  arm  he  drew  the  left  one  up  and  about 
the  girl's  head,  and  closing  her  ear  with  the  palm 
of  his  hand  he  held  her  tightly  and  closely  to 
him,  her  face  completely  buried  in  the  soft,  silken 
folds  of  his  begrimed  white  shirt.  How  could 
she  know  that  that  embrace  Avas  firm  with  love? 
How  could  she  know  wha.t  the  wild,  irregular 
beatings  of  that  strong  heart  were  saying?  How 
could  she  know  that  the  prolonged  hesitancy  was 
caused  by  the  recrudescence  of  hopeless  longings ! 
She  sensed  his  effort  at  calmness,  felt  an  arm  up- 
lifted, a  slight  concussion,  and  knew  that  Eagle 
was  dead.  She  did  not  watch  Henry  West  as  he 
removed  the  saddle  and  bridle  from  the  dead 
horse,  nor  did  she  see  the  last  tender  caress  given 
to  the  stiffening  neck. 

"Had  it  not  been  for  you,  my  Eagle — she- 
she — would — now — be — ,"  were  the  parting 
words  given  to  the  favorite  of  all  the  horses  which 
West  had  ever  ridden.  And  yet  he  was  glad  of 
the  sacrifice. 

"Do  you  mind  staying  here  alone,  Bess,  while 
I  go  in  search  of  Mauchacho?  It  will  soon  be 
growing  chilly  and  dark  and  we  must  get  home 
tonight.  Can  you  give  me  any  idea  where  he  is?v 
Bess  looked  helplessly  about  and  was  still  utter- 
ly confused  by  the  mad,  mad  rush  ahead  of  the 
steers.  She  could  not  tell  if  she  had  ridden  one 
mile  or  twenty.  West  noted  her  bewilderment, 
and  with  an  assurance  that  he  would  try  to  re- 

177 


THE   BRAND 


turn  soon  started  rather  doubtingly  forward.  He 
retraced  the  way  they  had  so  recently  come  and 
after  several  indecisive  swervings  to  the  right 
and  left  Bess  saw  him  hit  upon  a  trail  and  hurry 
swiftly  on  until  the  thorns  and  brush  hid  him 
from  her  view. 

How  utterly  alone  she  felt !  She  could  scarce- 
ly refrain  from  running  after  West  and  calling 
on  him  to  wait !  Glancing  over  her  shoulder  her 
heart  was  filled  with  pity  and  regret  at  the  sight 
of  the  dead  hero.  Already  she  saw  circling  high 
in  the  evening  sky,  a  pair  of  huge,  black  wings 
eager  for  prey. 

"I'll  stay  here  and  watch  Eagle !    Those  vul- 
tures shall  not  banquet  yet  awhile !" 

Glowing  red  and  yellow  colors  dyed  the  even- 
ing skies.  Soft  shades  of  purple  touched  the  dis- 
tant tops  and  slopes  of  the  mountains.  Darken- 
ing shadows  silently  gathered  among  the  pines, 
indistinct  in  the  distance.  Night  was  coming  on 
apace,  and  still  the  girl  stood — silent  and  alone, 
keeping  vigil  over  the  coveted  feast.  In  the  glow 
of  the  western  sky  gleamed  brightly  the  tender 
sickle  of  the  new  moon.  Turning  so  as  to  glance 
over  her  shoulder,  Bess  wished  that  the  waiting 
might  soon  be  ended. 

She  arose  from  the  flat  rock  upon  which  she 
had  been  resting  and  began  pacing  nervously 
back  and  forth.  Snatches  of  verses  she  said 
aloud,  then  some  strain  of  a  song  floated  spas- 
modically across  the  range,  too  wide  to  send  back 
an  echo.  The  moon,  with  its  tuef  consolation, 

178 


THE  STRENGTH  OF  A  BEADED  BELT 

had  gone  behind  the  horizon,  and  the  night  was 
rapidly  growing  darker.  A  qualm  of  fear  filled 
the  girPs  heart,  as  a  coyote's  shrill,  hungry  cry 
rent  the  air.  She  quickly  drew  forth  the  weapon 
which  she  had  always  worn,  from  its  snug  and  in- 
conspicuous pocket,  and  stood  ready  to  defend 
rather  than  for  defense. 

From  out  the  gloom  she  felt  rather  than  heard 
an  approach,  which  she  prayed  might  be  Henry 
West.  A  low  whistle  came  in  response  to  her 
call,  and  soon  Mauchacho  was  led  to  his  mistress 
and  his  soft  nose  brushed  caressingly  against  her 
arm. 

"I  had  a  hard  time  in  finding  the  saddle  or 
else  I  might  have  returned  sooner.  Have  you 
been  very  anxious  and  lonely?" 

"Can  we  hurry  away  from  here,  Henry.  I 
cannot  bear  to  feel  these  dreadful,  hungry  crea- 
tures so  near,"  replied  Bess,  as  another  unearth- 
ly cry  came  from  the  waiting,  anxious  coyotes. 

West  placed  Bess  in  the  saddle,  flung  his  own 
empty  one  upon  the  horse  and  walked  swiftly  for- 
ward leading  the  way.  At  length  they  came  to  a 
ranch  where  West  secured  a  horse,  and  rode 
with  conservative  speed  toward  home. 

It  was  after  numerous  futile  calls  that  at  last 
they  heard  the  squeak  of  the  ferry-boat  as  it  came 
laboriously  across  the  stream  in  the  darkness  to 
meet  them.  Dark  clouds  were  filling  the  sky  and 
another  rain  seemed  imminent.  Groping  his  way 
with  the  horses,  West  led  them  on  to  the  boat  and 
then  lifted  Bess  from  the  saddle.  Silently  they 

179 


THE   BRAND 


stood  as  the  Indian  rowed  them  over  the  dark 
water.  Startled  by  a  glare  of  lightning  Bess 
placed  her  arm  through  Henry  West's  and  gave 
it  a  pressure  of  confidence. 

"Had  it  not  been  for  the  gleam  of  the  beads 
showing  me  your  belt  I  doubt  if  I  could  have 
lifted  you,  Bess — for  our — our  ride — today,"  said 
Henry,  after  a  long  silence.  "Where  did  you  get 
it?  I  do  not  remember  ever  seeing  you  wear  it 
before!" 

"I  have  only  had  it  today.  An  Indian  woman 
gave  it  to  me  this  morning  as  I  came  over  on  this 
ferry,  because — well,  because  I  held  her  little 
dirty  baby  in  my  arms !" 

"Bess,  that  same  Indian  woman  was  the  one 
who  directed  me  when  I  discovered  Mauchacho's 
shoe  print  in  the  trail  leading  away  from  the 
right  direction.  She  also  told  me  with  tears  in 
her  eyes  why  she  gave  you  her  belt.  Not  wishing 
to  alarm  James,  I  did  not  even  show  him  where 
you  and  Mauchacho  had  gone,  giving  him  some 
excuse.  I  borrowed  his  spurs,  for  I  knew,  intu- 
itively perhaps,  that  Eagle — even  Eagle — might 
need  them,  for  the  first  time." 

"And  for  the  last  time,  also,"  added  Bess,  and 
tears  again  came  freely. 


180 


CHAPTER  XX 

THE   CAMPING   TRIP   AND   "PETER   PAN" 

It  was  several  days  after  Bess'  thrilling  ad- 
venture before  her  nerves  were  again  calm  and 
steady  and  before  her  muscles  had  recovered 
from  their  soreness.  While  she  felt  reluctant  to 
lie  in  bed,  and  was  sorry  because  of  the  extra 
worry  and  work  which  she  caused,  still  it  was 
delicious  to  experience  a  mother's  solicitude.  No 
word  of  reproof  had  Mrs.  West  given  her,  only 
kindness,  attention  and  anxiety.  Bess  secretly 
wished  that  some-one  would  administer  to  her 
the  censure  which  she  felt  she  richly  deserved. 
And  yet,  how  it  smarted  when  it  came  one  morn- 
ing, just  before  James  and  Henry  West  were 
about  to  start  on  the  fall  round-up. 

They  had  come  into  Bess'  sunlit  room  to  say 
good-bye.  Her  soft,  white  hand  was  enclosed  for 
a  moment  firmly  in  West's  hard  and  sunburned 
palm.  He  did  not  dare  speak  lest  the  tremor  in 
his  voice  should  betray  him  to  both  sister  and 
brother.  As  James  bent  over  his  sister,  with  a 
kiss,  he  said,  "Kemernber  Bess,  no  more  foolish 
escapades — ,"  but  a  firm  grasp  on  his  arm 
checked  the  words  and  led  him  from  the  room  be- 
fore he  could  see  the  welling,  nervous  tears  fill 
her  brown  eyes — and  then  splash  on  her  tightly 
folded  hands. 

181 


THE   BRAND 


"What's  the  use,  Jim  old  boy — she  has  had 
all  she  can  bear  already !"  she  heard  the  quarter- 
breed  say  as  they  went  away. 

James  turned  and  quickly  re-entered  his  sis- 
ter's room.  Taking  her  in  his  arms  he  kissed 
away  her  tears  and  left  her  consoled  and  happy 
once  more. 

"Hurry  and  be  yourself  again,  Bess,  for  the 
camping  trip  next  week.  I  only  wish  the  round- 
up were  over  so  that  Henry  and  I  might  go,  too. 
We'll  see  you  and  the  Kalispell  friends  in  camp 
as  we  go  over  by  the  Big  Arm.  Guess  we  can 
find  the  place.  So  long — sister — "  and  throwing 
her  a  kiss  from  the  door  he  hurried  to  join  West, 
who  was  already  in  the  saddle  and  anxious  to  be 
off. 

Bess  had  been  looking  forward  to  the  novelty 
of  camp  life  ever  since  the  invitation  had  come  to 
her  from  Mrs.  West's  friends  at  Kalispell.  She 
was  to  meet  them  on  the  fifth  of  September  on  the 
south  side  of  the  Big  Arm  of  the  Lake,  directly 
opposite  Wild  Horse  Island.  Here  they  were  to 
camp  and  hunt  small  gajne  and  fish  for  ten  days. 

Bess  arose  with  the  sun  on  the  morning  of  the 
fifth,  and  was  soon  ready  to  start  for  camp,  ac- 
companied by  one  of  the  ranch-men  whom  Mrs. 
West  had  ordered  to  ride  with  the  girl  and  pack 
her  baggage. 

"I  wish  you  were  going  too,  little  Mother," 
said  Bess  earnestly  as  she  hurried  about,  finish- 
ing her  preparations. 

182 


THE  CAMPING  TRIP 


"It  would  be  enjoyable  I'm  sure,  but  I  cannot 
think  of  it  this  time,  dear.  Come  home  strong 
and  safe,  won't  you?" 

What  a  magnificent  morning !  Just  a  hint  of 
autumn  in  the  bracing  air,  while  a  soft,  hazy 
atmosphere  veiled  the  mountains  and  nestled  on 
the  ripples  of  the  lake.  The  sun  had  not  yet 
mounted  high  enough  to  dry  the  dew  which  lay 
on  the  grass  and  dampened  the  trail.  Fifteen 
miles  toward  the  north-west  was  the  place  where 
camp  was  to  be  made,  the  man  had  told  Bess  in 
response  to  her  question,  how  far  would  they 
ride? 

As  they  crossed  the  ferry,  all  the  events  of  the 
recent  tragedy  surged  over  her,  and  as  her  hand 
clasped  the  beaded  belt  it  sought  the  place  where 
the  iron  hold  had  broken  the  threads  and  loos- 
ened the  beads.  An  unknown  and  foreign  sensa- 
tion seemed  to  sweep  over  her;  a  sharp  pain,  in- 
comprehensible, clutched  her  heart  as  she  again 
felt  the  embrace  of  her  rescuer.  He  stood  out 
clear,  full  and  bold  before  her  mind's  eye  in  a 
strange  new  light !  The  thought  of  another  man 
forced  itself  into  her  mind,  and  she  was  startled 
from  her  musings  as  the  ferry  touched  the  shore 
by  a  well  known  voice. 

"Good-morning;  this  is  a  most  unexpected 
pleasure!  You  seemed  deeply  absorbed  as  I 
watched  you  coming  across.  I  hope  you  were 
thinking  of  me !" 

"I  was,  Mr.  Davis — just  then,"  answered  Bess 
as  she  accepted  the  out-stretched  hand. 

183 


THE   BRAND 


"I  had  intended  to  call  at  the  HW  Ranch  this 
morning  in  the  hope  of  seeing  you,  and  here  I 
find  you  evidently  going  on  a  visit." 

The  cowboy  who  was  accompanying  Bess  led 
the  horses  off  the  ferry  and  down  the  rocky  beach 
for  water. 

"Bess — dear — it  seems  ages  since  I  have  seen 
you.  Why  have  I  not  had  a  line  from  you  ?  Can't 
you  know  that  I  am  eating  my  heart  out  because 
of  your  coldness !" 

"Really,  Mr.  Davis — I  have  not  been  very 
well — and  could  not  gather  enough  energy  to 
write.  Wait  until  I  return  from  my  camping 
trip  and  I'll  write  and  tell  you  all  about  it,"  an- 
swered Bess  as  she  turned  to  leave,  seeing  that 
the  horses  had  drank  their  fill  and  were  waiting 
for  her. 

"Stay  a  moment!  Where  are  you  going? 
May  I  go  with  you?" 

"Ah,  you  were  not  invited,"  she  answered, 
laughingly.  "Why,  you  see  I  am  to  be  in  camp 
ten  days  with  some  friends  from  Kali  spell  who 
are  coming  down  for  the  fall  birds." 

"Oh,  yes — I  sent  a  permit  to  Mr.  George  and 
party  to  hunt  on  the  reserve,  and  I  also  received 
an  invitation  to  visit  camp.  Now  that  you  are  to 
be  there  too,  may  I  not  hope  for  a  second  invita- 
tion from  you,  dear?" 

His  voice  took  that  fascinating  tone  which  al- 
ways sent  an  undefinable  thrill  through  her,  and 
his  eyes  held  her  own  in  a  long,  steady  look. 

184 


THE  CAMPING  TRIP 


"We — camp  on  the  Big  Arm — perhaps — you 
can  find  it,"  came  from  her  lips  with  an  effort. 

Davis  felt  hurt  that  his  request  was  not  an- 
swered more  heartily,  but  he  concealed  his  chag- 
rin with  a  smile  of  assurance  that  he  would 
come. 

The  happy,  alert  girl  saw  a  subtle  change 
stealing  over  nature  and  knew  that  autumn  had 
come. 

How  delicious  was  the  aroma  of  the  firs  and 
pines  as  the  horses  went  along  the  shaded  road 
through  the  long  stretch  of  timber !  Occasionally 
through  the  tangle  of  scrub-maples,  whose  bright 
green  foliage  was  splashed  here  and  there  by  a 
scarlet  leaf,  one  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  deep 
blue,  glistening  lake  and  the  mountains  on  its 
east  shore.  Tiny  squirrels  and  chipmunks  were 
scampering  over  fallen  logs  or  chattering  high  up 
in  the  tamarack  branches.  Every  rock  and 
stump  was  beautiful  with  its  creeping  wreath  of 
kinnikinnic,  whose  glossy  foliage  and  large  scar- 
let berries  puts  to  shame  the  holly.  On  the  buck- 
brush  hung  great,  white  snow-drops,  while  the 
wild  rose  bushes  were  heavy  with  scarlet  fruit. 

The  whirr  of  a  pheasant  through  the  under- 
brush caused  Mauchacho  to  prick  up  his  ears  and 
quicken  his  pace.  A  blue  grouse  with  her  late 
brood  scurried  across  the  road  seeking  the  shel- 
ter of  the  thicket.  Bess  wished  she  too  were  some 
dainty  feathered  creature,  happy  in  the  solitude 
of  the  woods,  free  from  all  restraint,  secure  with- 
in the  sheltering  arms  of  the  earth.  Oh !  to  creep 

185 


THE   BRAND 


away  off  under  the  tender  green  branches;  to 
clasp  her  arms  about  the  rough  bark  of  the  pine 
trees;  to  rest  her  cheek  upon  the  redolent  grass- 
es! On  the  outstretched  limb  of  a  charred  pine 
tree  sat  a  large,  blinking  owl.  Great  tufts  of  grey 
feathers  covered  his  legs  and  claws,  while  at  his 
throat  shone  the  purest  white. 

Bess  raised  an  imaginary  gun  with  a  deliber- 
ate aim,  and  immediately  Mr.  Owl  stretched  his 
large  white  and  grey  wings  and  was  out  of  sight. 

"Oh,  see !"  cried  the  girl,  as  only  a  few  yards 
ahead  of  them  there  sprang  across  the  trail  a 
white-tailed  doe  and  fawn !  Only  for  a  brief  in- 
stant did  they  pause,  then  went  crashing  through 
the  timber  and  brush,  flirting  defiant  good-byes 
with  their  white  flags.  The  cowboy  was  watch- 
ing surreptitiously  from  the  corner  of  his  eye  the 
pleasure  and  animation  which  Bess  was  enjoy- 
ing. Her  brown  eyes  danced  and  filled;  her 
cheeks  flamed  as  if  touched  with  an  Indian's 
paintbrush,  suggesting  an  autumn  leaf  through 
her  brown,  fluffy  hair.  Her  enjoyment  was  keen 
because  of  a  sweet  and  sensitive  temperament 
alive  to  the  surroundings  and  susceptible  to  the 
wonders  of  nature. 

"Did  you  hear  that?"  asked  Bess  of  her  com- 
panion. 

"Yes — that  was  the  boat  whistle.  Your  party 
are  probably  near  their  landing  place.  Guess  we 
have  about  three  miles  more  to  go  before  we 
reach  there." 

186 


THE  CAMPING  TRIP 


In  a  short  time  they  again  came  into  full  view 
of  the  great,  blue  lake.  How  immense  it  was! 
The  Great  Arm  alone  was  a  lake.  To  the  right 
lay  Wild  Horse  Island ;  the  camping  ground  must 
be  very  near.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  sound  of 
voices  or  the  driving  of  tent-stakes  the  camp 
would  have  been  hard  to  locate,  so  snugly  was  it 
concealed  among  the  trees  and  by  a  thicket  of 
cotton-woods  and  small  pines. 

It  was  a  busy  scene  which  Bess  saw  as  she 
rode  into  camp.  Already  the  tents  were  being 
pitched;  boxes  and  bundles  and  guns  were  being 
carried  from  the  beach;  beautiful  setters  were 
sniffing  at  every  leaf  and  twig;  while  over  near 
the  branches  of  an  over-hanging  cedar,  Joe,  the 
colored  cook,  with  white  cap,  coat  and  apron 
deftly  donned  had  already  lighted  a  fire  prepara- 
tory for  the  first  meal.  Cheery  greetings  of  wel- 
come were  exchanged  as  Bess  slid  from  her 
saddle  and  each  one  of  the  girls  seemed  bent  upon 
talking  loudest  and  longest. 

"Oh !  girls — girls — save  a  little  breath  or  else 
you  won't  have  enough  to  last  ten  days!"  called 
Mrs.  Bland,  with  the  authority  of  a  chaperon,  but 
her  voice  was  not  heard  above  the  laughing  and 
chattering  of  the  other  three.  Such  a  time  pump- 
ing up  the  air  beds,  shaking  blankets,  unpacking 
satchels,  arranging  rugs  and  adjusting  the  other 
things  in  the  ladies'  boudoir ! 

"Little  Honey"  (as  Mrs.  Eland's  little  daugh- 
ter had  been  nicknamed)  was  too  engrossed  try- 

187 


THE   BRAND 


ing  to  attire  herself  in  new,  blue  overalls  and  a 
boy's  "really"  shirt,  to  be  interested  in  her  sur- 
roundings. Tucking  her  braids  under  a  big, 
straw  hat,  then  thrusting  her  tiny  fists  deep  into 
the  spacious  pockets,  she  cried  gleefully, — "Well, 
Mother — Here's  Peter  Pan."  Undaunted  by  the 
teasings  and  laughter  of  the  other  girls  "Peter 
Pan"  strode  out  of  the  tent  to  show  herself  to 
the  "other  boys." 

"Oh,  you  dogs!  Charge!  Lady!  Jack! 
Down !  Charge,  Gladstone !  Didn't  you  dogs 
ever  see  a  boy  before !"  she  cried  amid  frantic  ef- 
forts to  ward  off  the  playful,  eager  animals.  Just 
then  she  heard  the  rattle  of  wheels  and  ran  to 
meet  Mr.  George  who  had  driven  down  from  Kal- 
ispell  so  that  the  horses  and  light  wagon  could  be 
used  in  going  to  the  good  hunting  fields  each  day. 

"I'm  'Peter  Pan,'  and  these  pockets  are  so 
handy,  and  it  is  so  much  easier  to  climb  that  I 
guess  I'll  just  stay  a  boy,"  she  announced  as  she 
clambered  into  the  seat  beside  Mr.  George  and 
reached  for  the  reins. 

Such  a  hungry,  hearty  "bunch"  as  sat  down 
to  dinner !  How  the  aroma  of  the  forest  and  the 
sweet,  pine  laden  air  whetted  their  appetites! 
"Peter  Pan"  could  not  get  enough  bread  with  its 
thick  layer  of  apple-sauce.  Joe,  the  cook,  looked 
on  with  trepidation  and  wondered  how  long  the 
larder  would  supply  the  demand. 

"Never  mind,  Joe ;  don't  look  so  worried,  we'll 
have  birds  for  supper,"  said  one  of  the  men,  as  he 

188 


THE  CAMPING  TRIP 


arose  from  the  table  and  began  filling  his  hunting 
vest  with  shells.  The  snap  of  the  barrel  of  a  shot- 
gun brought  all  three  dogs  up  with  a  bound,  so 
eager  were  they  to  feel  the  feathers  of  a  retrieve. 
At  sundown,  when  the  tired  men  and  still  more 
weary  dogs  came  dragging  themselves  back  into 
camp,  each  bore  evidence  of  his  spoils.  Through 
the  carriers  were  hung  the  limp-stretched  necks 
of  a  covey,  while  the  several  feathers  still  stick- 
ing to  the  dogs'  jaws,  proved  how  faithfully  and 
well  they  had  done  their  work. 

"Come  with  me  Miss — Miss  Flet — " 

"Just  call  me  Bess,  it's  easier." 

"Miss  Bess,  if  you  will  come  with  me  we'll 
give  the  dogs  their  supper,"  said  "Peter  Pan,"  as 
she  led  the  way  to  where  the  dog  biscuits  had 
been  placed.  The  dogs  were  all  seated  on  their 
haunches  waiting  with  hungry  stomachs  for  their 
meal. 

"These  are  dreadfully  hard  things  to  feed 
you,  poor  dogs,"  said  the  tiny  girl,  as  she  tried  in 
vain  to  break  the  biscuits.  "I'm  glad  I'm  not  a 
dog,  aren't  you,  Miss  Bess?  But  then,  this  kind 
of  biscuit  is  good  for  a  dog,  'cause  they  make  him 
take  aim  better.  Charge,  Jack !"  she  cried  to  the 
hungry  dog  who  could  not  wait  for  her  discourse 
to  be  finished  as  he  took  his  supper  out  of  her 
hand  and  hurried  away  to  find  an  undisturbed 
place  to  enjoy  it. 

It  was  dark  before  the  birds  were  ready  for 
the  table,  and  supper  was  eaten  by  the  aid  of 

189 


THE   BRAND 


numerous  candles  and  lanterns.  All  were  weary, 
so  after  the  plans  for  the  morrow  had  been  made 
and  everything  made  secure  in  camp  for  the 
night,  each  sought  his  couch  and  slept;  some  to 
dream,  perhaps  of  feasts  and  plenty,  or  of  ring- 
ing shots  and  pointing  dogs;  one  to  dream  of 
"comfy"  trousers  and  handy  pockets;  another  to 
see  in  her  sleep's  vision,  the  flaming,  dilated  nos- 
trils of  a  fleeing  horse  and  the  dark,  determined 
face  of  his  relentless  rider. 


190 


CHAPTER  XXI 

THE  TEOUT  DEAL 

As  soon  as  Bess  heard  the  breakfast  fire  crack- 
ing she  crept  out  of  her  bed  and  hurriedly  dressed 
herself.  "Peter  Pan"  begged  her  softly,  so  that 
the  other  sleepers  might  not  be  disturbed,  to 
"Wait  a  min't  for  me."  They  looked  like  two 
hungry  birds  as  they  perched  on  a  log  near  where 
Joe  was  preparing  breakfast.  Snug  in  their  red 
sweaters  and  tarns  they  sat  with  arms  entwined 
about  each  other,  already  fast  and  true  friends. 

"Did  you  ever  see  Mr.  George  'flop'  pan- 
cakes?" questioned  "Peter  Pan,"  as  she  saw  with 
utter  satisfaction  a  creamy  mixture  being  stirred 
by  the  cook.  "No?  Well,  I'll  have  him  give  a 
free  exhibition  this  morning  immediately  before 
the  big  performance,"  added  the  child,  with  art- 
ful mimicry  of  the  man  she  had  heard  at  the  cir- 
cus during  the  summer. 

"You  see,  he  just  takes  the  frying  pan  like 
this — gives  it  two  or  three  little  wiggles — then 
throws  the  pan-cake  up  in  the  air  and  makes  it 
turn  a  'somerset'  like  the  circus  performer  did, 
and  then  lets  it  splash  back  into  the  pan.  Ask 
Joe  to  let  us  try  one  before  the  others  come  to 
breakfast.  Shall  we?" 

All  thoughts  of  any  attempts  in  the  culinary 
art  were  displaced  by  the  soft  sound  of  a  mocca- 

191 


THE   BRAND 


sined  foot  behind  them.  "Peter  Pan"  clung 
tightly  to  Bess'  hand  as  they  watched  the  slow 
approach  of  the  old  Indian.  What  a  wrinkled, 
old  visage,  hardened  by  the  vicissitudes  of  years, 
attenuated  by  many  fasts.  A  mat  of  coarse,  grey 
hair  partially  covered  eyes  that  were  still  keen 
and  undimmed  by  the  ravages  of  time.  The  tat- 
tered blanket  illy  concealed  his  quivering  form, 
while  worn  and  ragged  moccasins  scarcely  pro- 
tected his  feet  from  the  stones  and  thorns. 

Bess'  heart  melted  by  the  picture  of  abject 
want,  and  with  a  few,  quick  signs  she  asked  the 
old  Indian  "would  he  eat."  A  grin  of  acquiesc- 
ence was  her  reply,  and  soon  she  had  placed  be- 
fore him  such  a  feast  as  he  had  never  seen  be- 
fore. He  fell  to  devouring  the  food,  almost  like  a 
hungry  dog,  but  was  checked  by  a  decisive  touch 
on  the  shoulder.  A  look  of  surprise  filled  his  eyes 
as  he  paused  with  open  mouth  ready  to  receive 
the  next  morsel. 

"Shame;"  firmly  said  the  girl;  "Why  forget 
to  thank  God?"  and  she  raised  her  hand  toward 
heaven.  Slowly  the  food  was  replaced  upon  the 
plate;  a  look  of  incredulity  rested  for  a  moment 
upon  the  seamed,  old  face ;  then  with  eyes  turned 
toward  the  crests  of  the  hills  all  radiant  with  the 
glow  of  the  morning,  a  withered,  dirty  hand  rev- 
erently made  the  sign  of  the  cross.  When  his 
hunger  was  appeased  he  bestowed  upon  his  bene- 
factor a  look  of  thanks. 

"You  go  catch  fish.  Bring  nice  trout  here. 
192 


THE  TROUT  DEAL 


More  muck-a-muck  tonight,"  instructed  Bess  with 
numerous  gestures. 

The  old  Indian  nodded  that  he  understood 
and  then  explained  his  futile  attempt  to  catch 
fish  the  day  before.  No  word  did  he  speak.  He 
waved  his  hand  slowly  toward  the  direction  of 
the  North  shore  of  the  Big  Arm,  showed  how  he 
had  cast  the  line  again  and  again,  but  had  caught 
no  fish;  how  he  had  fished  unceasingly  all  the 
while  the  sun  arose  from  its  eastern  horizon  to 
the  zenith  and  until  it  had  descended  to  rest  be- 
hind the  hills ;  how  he  had  returned  to  his  teepee 
with  his  willow  switch  empty  and  had  gone  hun- 
gry to  sleep.  Now  it  was  again  day!  He  mo- 
tioned that  he  would  walk  far  along  the  lake's 
opposite  shore  where  the  rocks  jutted  into  the 
water — there — could  she  see?  Pointing  to  some 
beef  which  was  hung  up  in  the  tree  he  made  Bess 
understand  that  with  the  aid  of  that  for  bait  he 
could  catch  the  wily  trout  as  fast  as  he  could 
cast  the  hook,  and  that  soon  his  basket  of  willows 
and  leaves  would  be  full.  Soon  he  was  sent  on 
his  way  rejoicing, — happy  because  his  stomach's 
craving  had  ceased,  glad  because  of  the  hope  of 
another  meal. 

The  tardy  members  of  the  party  had  at  last 
come  to  breakfast.  Mr.  George  was  prevailed 
upon  to  "flop"  the  pan-cakes,  and  "Peter  Pan's" 
number  increased  alarmingly. 

"I  eat  so  many  because  it  is  such  fun  to 
watch  them  perform,  not  because  I  like  them," 

193 


THE   BRAND 


she  assured  her  mother,  as  she  watched  the  mar- 
velous feat  repeated. 

"My  name  will  now  have  to  be  'Peter  Pan- 
cake/ 'cause  I'm  so  full,"  she  said,  as  she  gath- 
ered up  the  remaining  few  and  fed  them  to  the 
waiting  dogs. 

aOh!  Bess — come  see  Gladstone!"  she  cried 
gleefully,  as  she  watched  the  dog  dig  a  nice  little 
hole  in  the  leaves  and  then  bury  his  breakfast. 
How  artfully  he  scraped  the  twigs  and  dirt  to- 
gether in-  long  sweeps  with  his  nose,  and  then 
pressed  it  down  firmly. 

"You  see,"  she  explained,  "he  does  it  that  way 
so  that  the  other  dogs  can't  find  it.  Then  when 
he  gets  hungry  he  goes  and  digs  up  his — his — 
why,  his  money,  and  eats  it." 

"Money,"  laughed  Bess,  heartily.  "I  know — 
you  mean  cache,  don't  you,  dear?" 

"Oh,  yes!  Mr.  George,  an'  he  knows  every- 
thing about  dogs,  told  me  what  it  was,  and  I 
couldn't  quite  remember,  you  see.  Once  he  told 
me  all  about  Jack's  grandmothers  and  grand- 
fathers and  uncles  and  all  the  family,  and  he 
called  it  a  legacy  or  something  like  that.  Don't 
you  think  it  would  be  grand  to  know  so  much 
about  dogs?"  chatted  the  tiny  girl  to  her  inter- 
ested listener. 

Soon  everything  was  ready  to  start  for  the 
day's  hunt;  lunch  basket  filled,  guns  and  ammu- 
nition ready,  dogs  eager  to  be  off,  and  a  wagon 
filled  with  hearty,  happy  people.  They  would  try 

194 


THE  TROUT  DEAL 


the  stubble  of  the  wheat  fields  on  the  Baptiste 
ranch  today,  and  all  felt  confident  already  of 
much  sport  and  many  birds. 

"Honk — honk — honk"  greeted  their  ears  be- 
fore many  miles  had  passed  behind  them.  Such 
scrambling  for  guns!  Such  hurrying  to  get  a 
good  position !  Such  banging  of  shells !  "Honk 
— honk" — and  the  geese  went  sailing  on. 

"Guess  the  weather  isn't  right  for  a  goose,*' 
ventured  "Peter  Pan,"  the  only  one  who  felt  dis- 
posed to  make  any  explanation. 

But  the  weather  proved  just  right  for  chick- 
ens !  And  the  hunters  desisted  because  they  were 
ashamed  to  slaughter  more. 

Bess  found  the  Indian  squatted  at  a  comfort- 
able distance  from  the  "kitchen  fire"  waiting  her, 
upon  her  return.  While  the  others  were  busy 
with  the  birds,  or  the  horses,  or  supper  prepara- 
tions, she  closed  her  deal  for  the  fish.  Spread  out 
upon  the  large,  green  thimble-berry  leaves  were 
several  beautiful  speckled  and  salmon-tinted 
trout,  all  large  and  firm.  The  old  Indian  mo- 
tioned that  she  was  to  have  them  all  and  that  he 
would  keep  those  left  in  the  basket.  Bess  peeped 
inquisitively  into  the  nest  of  leaves  and  there  be- 
held— oh!  such  beauties!  Shiny  brook  trout! 
They  should  be  the  feast.  She  showed  with  con- 
vincing gestures  her  unfeigned  contempt  for 
large  fish  when  the  lovely  small  ones  were  to  be 
had.  Yes,  he  might  return  these  to  the  basket 
and  leave  the  small  ones  for  her. 

195 


THE   BRAND 


At  first  the  grizzled  old  man  looked  at  her  as 
if  he  were  deeply  puzzled.  Did  she  really  mean 
that  she  preferred  the  small  fish !  A  queer,  hesi- 
tating smile  slowly  began  to  spread  over  his  face 
as  he  reluctantly  drew  out  the  fish,  one  by  one, 
and  placed  them  on  the  leaves.  Several  times  he 
paused,  and  by  numerous  frantic  gestures  and 
gutteral  sounds  asked  again  if  she  really  wished 
him  to  replace  the  larger  fish. 

At  last,  so  completely  was  he  assured,  he 
quickly  flung  the  remaining  beauties  into  the  bas- 
ket, snatched  the  parcel  of  food  which  the  cook 
had  prepared  for  him  and  arose  to  hasten  away. 
Again  he  was  checked  by  a  touch  on  the  arm  and 
with  his  hand  half  raised  again  to  make  the  sign 
of  thanks,  his  astonishment  was  even  greater  in- 
creased by  a  proffered  half-dollar. 

"Trout  for  breakfast !"  Bess  called  cheerfully 
to  the  "colored  gentleman"  whose  white  teeth 
gleamed  through  a  whimsical  smile.  "Trout  for 
breakfast!"  she  again  announced  to  the  men  of 
the  party  who  had  been  watching  the  fish  deal 
with  unobserved  interest,  and  by  this  time  were 
convulsed  with  laughter. 

"Come  here  girls — come  'Mr.  Peter  Pan'  and 
see  the  shining  beauties !"  she  added,  as  they 
came  from  the  tent  with  hastily  arranged  toilets. 

"Well,  I'm  glad  you  are  all  so  tickled  to  death 
over  our  prospective  breakfast,"  she  continued, 
while  the  laughter  increased,  "but  I  must  say  the 
joke — if  there  be  one — seems  rather  jejune.'' 

196 


THE  TROUT  DEAL 


Little  "Peter  Pan"  squeezed  five  little  sympa- 
thetic fingers  into  the  tightly  closed  palm  of  the 
perplexed  girl,  led  her  with  gentle  determination 
behind  a  clump  of  scrub-pines,  drew  her  fluffy 
head  down  to  her  lips  and  whispered  softly :  "I 
heard  Mr.  George  whisper  to  Uncle  Jim  that  they 
were  'squaw-fish,'  but  if  I  can  I'll  try  to  help  you 
eat  them." 

Bess  gathered  the  child  into  a  loving  embrace 
and  together  they  went  to  supper  to  face  the  jolly 
ridicule. 

"I'm  the  sorriest  of  all,"  chimed  in  "Peter 
Pan,"  "  'cause  there's  only  one  thing  that's  better 
than  trout." 

"And  what  is  that  other?"  questioned  Bess. 

"Why,  it's  doughnuts  with  the  holes  fried 
shut." 

Some  fairy  must  have  brought  some  for  break- 
fast next  morning,  for  there  they  were,  round,  fat 
and  golden,  with  only  little  puckers  where  the 
holes  used  to  be.  A  tell  tale  patch  of  flour  on 
Bess'  cheek  gave  away  the  secret  of  the  early 
riser. 


197 


CHAPTER  XXII 

A  PSBUDO  SQUAW 

The  "girls"  were  to  remain  in  camp,  while  Mr. 
George  and  "Uncle  Jim"  drove  the  horses  to  a 
ranch  to  have  them  re-shod.  A  trip  to  Sullivan 
Creek  had  been  planned,  and  it  was  necessary 
that  the  team  and  wagon  be  in  good  condition  to 
cover  the  long  distance  over  a  rough,  hilly  road. 
The  dogs  were  in  need  of  a  rest  to  recuperate  for 
the  next  chase.  The  good-byes  were  called  and 
re-answered  till  the  men  were  out  of  sight. 

"Oh!  let's  gather  these  red  thorn  apples  and 
buck-brush  berries  and  make  bracelets  and 
strings  of  beads,  and  then  dress  up  in  blankets 
and  play  we  are  squaws,1'  suggested  "Peter  Pan," 
as  she  began  to  fill  her  many  pockets  with  the 
berries  within  her  reach.  Each  one  seemed  bent 
on  plucking  the  most  and  soon  hats  were  brim- 
ming over. 

They  sat  in  a  bright,  sunny  exposure  near  the 
edge  of  the  water  and  strung  the  red  and  white 
berries  on  long,  stout  threads,  the  while  happy 
jokes  were  made,  stories  told  or  snatches  of 
familiar  songs  were  sung.  As  Bess  began  to  sing 
again  one  of  the  familiar  verses,  "Peter  Pan" 
checked  her  rather  unceremoniously  with,  "Oh ! 
please — Miss  Bess,  we  have  sang  that  so  many 
times  already." 

198 


A  PSEUDO  SQUAW 


"My  dearie,  you  mean  to  say — have — what?" 
corrected  her  mother. 

"I  can't  tell,  mother — I'm  not  that  far  yet  in 
my  book,"  came  the  ever  ready  answer  of  the  lit- 
tle grammarian. 

Bess  had  quietly  slipped  away  while  the  oth- 
ers were  still  industriously  threading  their  beads. 
Presently  the  three  dogs,  who  were  stretched  out 
in  the  glorious  warmth  of  the  sunshine  near  the 
busy  workers,  suddenly  came  to  their  feet  with 
a  bound  and  ran  barking  savagely  at  a  form  ap- 
proaching through  the  trees.  As  suddenly  did 
they  drop  their  tails  between  their  legs  and 
fawned  at  the  feet  of  the  blanketed  intruder,  as  a 
familiar  voice  said  softly  yet  commandingly, 
"Boys!  Gladstone!  Jack!  What's  the  fuss? 
Don't  you  know  me?" 

They  could  scarcely  be  blamed  for  their  mis- 
take, for  Bess  looked  a  veritable  Indian.  About 
her  was  a  vivid  blanket,  a  red  cloth  wound  her 
forehead  nearly  concealing  her  hair  which  had 
been  braided  and  hung  down  either  side  of  her 
neck.  A  pair  of  moccasins  (which  Mrs.  West 
had  urged  her  to  bring  in  case  the  nights  might 
prove  cold)  and  the  coils  of  red  and  white  beads 
completed  her  costume. 

"You  look  just  like  a  really  Indian  girl," 
cried  "Peter  Pan,"  clapping  her  hands  gleefully. 
"Why,  even  the  dogs  thought  you  were  one  too, 
didn't  they?"  she  added,  with  her  deep  blue  eyes 
glowing  with  appreciation. 

"Here  Bess,  go  down  by  the  road  and  get  us 
199 


THE   BRAND 


a  few  more  of  the  thorn-apples ;  my  string  is  not 
yet  long  enough,''  said  Mrs.  Bland,  as  she  and  the 
others  kept  on  with  their  task. 

"Oh,  there  are  some  splendid  large  ones !"  said 
Bess  to  herself,  as  she  caught  sight  of  a  clump  of 
the  brush,  with  shiny,  red  fruit  a  little  way  down 
the  road.  She  wandered  aimlessly  on,  watching 
the  dust  puff  out  as  she  made  "toed-in"  tracks 
with  the  moccasins.  The  choice  place  for  thorn- 
apples  had  been  passed,  but  then,  that  did  not 
matter,  as  here  were  more  directly  ahead  of  her. 

The  sound  of  approaching  horses  and  their 
riders'  voices  came  to  her  ears.  The  delay  of  in- 
decision, whether  to  flee  to  camp,  or  whether  to 
conceal  herself  in  the  near-by  thicket,  made  either 
impossible,  for  already  directly  in  front  of  her 
came  two  horsemen,  and  she  knew  that  she  had 
been  seen.  Turning  her  back  toward  the  an- 
proach,  and  concealing  her  face  in  a  fold  of  the 
blanket,  she  stood  aside,  hoping  that  they  might 
pass  without  giving  her  any  especial  attention. 

One  had  passed,  and  peeping  from  her  cover 
she  saw  that  he  wore  the  Indian  police  uniform. 
A  soft  chuckle  reached  her  ear,  and  she  knew 
that  he  knew  he  saw  a  masquerader.  But  her 
heart  stood  still,  as  a  voice  so  familiar,  yet  just 
now  so  foreign  said,  "You  ride  on  ahead  and  see 
if  you  can  locate  their  camp.  I'll  be  there  pres- 
ently." 

She  heard  the  horse  stop  and  felt  his  nose 
brush  her  blanket,  so  near  had  he  come  to  her. 

200 


A  PSEUDO  SQUAW 


"Klah-on-ya-Hary — are  you  here  alone?"  and 
the  end  of  a  quirt  touched  her  none  too  gently  on 
the  head.  She  heard  a  stirrup  squeak  and  felt 
that  the  man  was  dismounting. 

"Come  here — I  want  to  talk  to  you.  You 
know  me — I  am  the  Agent — I  want  to  look  at 
you;"  but  the  instant  the  silent  figure  felt  the 
touch  of  his  eager  fingers  upon  her  arm,  Bess 
sprang  forward  like  a  frightened  deer,  and  ran 
swiftly  into  the  bushes  and  was  soon  out  of  sight. 
It  was  all  the  man  could  do  to  restrain  the  fright- 
ened horse,  and  when  he  again  looked  to  where  he 
had  seen  the  bushes  part  to  enfold  a  brightly  - 
hued  fleeing  creature,  they  had  folded  their 
branches  as  meekly  as  if  they  had  nothing  to  con- 
ceal. 

"Damn  these  squaws;  they  are  not  usually  so 
touchy,"  said  the  man,  as  he  gave  his  horse  an 
unnecessary  jerk  at  the  reins  as  he  remounted 
and  started  on.  A  thin,  blue,  curling  smoke 
through  the  trees  revealed  to  him  the  campers' 
location,  while  awaiting  him  at  the  trail  was  his 
escort.  The  police  continued  on  his  journey  upon 
receiving  a  few  minute  instructions,  and  the 
Agent  reined  his  horse  into  the  path  leading  to 
the  camp.  At  first  he  saw  no  one  except  the 
white-aproned  man  busy  preparing  lunch,  then 
his  advent  was  seen  by  the  ladies,  still  busy  with 
their  beads. 

Mrs.  Bland  came  forward  to  receive  the  visi- 
tor. 

"I  am  very  much  pleased  to  meet  you,  Mr. 
201 


THE   BRAND 


Davis,"  she  said,  as  he  introduced  himself.  "I 
am  sorry  that  the  men  are  away  from  camp  just 
at  present.  They  are  to  be  back  in  time  for 
luncheon.  Won't  you  dismount  and  help  us  en- 
joy a  few  of  the  birds  which  you  so  kindly  per- 
mitted us  to  kill?" 

"Thank  you — I  am  sure  it  will  be  a  treat,"  he 
answered  as  he  slid  from  the  saddle. 

"Er — I — I  had  hoped  to  meet  Miss  Fletcher 
here  also,"  he  added,  as  he  hesitatingly  glanced 
about. 

"Oh,  yes,  she  is  here — that  is,  she  will  be  here 
presently.  She  just  now  went  down  to  the  road 
after  some  more  thorn-apples  for  our  chains.  We 
are  going  to  play  Indian,"  she  laughed. 

"Even  the  dogs  thought  Miss  Bess  was  a  real- 
ly squaw  when  they  saw  her  all  wrapped  in  a 
blanket,"  put  in  "Peter  Pan"  as  she  came  inquisi- 
tively forward  to  see  their  visitor. 

Slowly  the  explanation  of  the  squaw  by  the 
road-side  forced  itself  into  his  brain.  For  a  mo- 
ment he  held  his  breath  wondering  if  he  had 
made  a  fool  of  himself.  Perhaps  she  did  not  rec- 
ognize him,  but  if  she  did  he  would  easily  con- 
vince her  it  was  a  joke — that  he  had  known  it 
was  she  all  the  while. 

What  could  be  keeping  Bess  so  long?  Why 
did  she  not  return  to  camp  with  the  gathered 
thorn-apples?  Each  moment  a  glance  went  up 
the  trail,  hoping  that  she  would  soon  be  coming. 
No  one  saw  the  silent  pseudo  squaw  as  she  crept 
softly  on  her  hands  and  knees  in  the  shadow  of 

202 


A  PSEUDO  SQUAW 


the  logs  and  the  close  covering  of  the  brush.  No 
one  saw  her  now  as  she  lay  flat  on  the  ground  se- 
curely concealed  by  the  thick  leaves  and  the  tall 
grasses,  watching  the  occupants  of  the  camp  with 
glowing  eyes.  No  one?  Yes,  one  alert  pair  of 
ears  had  heard  a  twig  snap;  one  keen  nose  had 
sniffed  the  air,  and  now  a  pair  of  appealing  eyes 
were  looking  into  hers. 

"Charge  Gladdy !"  she  said  to  the  dog  with  a 
wriggling  tail,  as  emphatically  as  she  could  in  a 
whisper.  Then  she  flung  her  arm  about  him 
holding  him  close  lest  he  betray  her  concealment. 
Would  the  visitor  never  go?  Should  she  be  com- 
pelled finally  to  come  forth  and  rejoin  the  others 
at  the  camp?  If  she  could  only  convince  herself 
that  the  Agent  had  recognized  her  in  the  road 
and  had  not  really  thought  she  was  a  squaw  she 
would  not  now  hesitate  in  meeting  him.  But 
somehow^  a  feeling  of  uncertainty  crept  into  her 
heart  and  for  the  moment  made  her  fairly  hate 
him.  The  approach  of  horses  along  the  highway 
caused  her  to  sit  upright  and  listen.  Gladstone, 
too,  heard  the  sound  and  before  he  could  be 
checked,  began  a  vigorous  barking.  She  could 
hear  the  horses  coming  through  the  tangled 
brush,  and  in  a  moment  more  she  stood  face  to 
face  with  James  Fletcher  and  Henry  West. 

"Great  guns !  Bess ;  you  are  a  regular  Poca- 
hontas!  How's  that  for  a  'peachy'  squaw?"  he 
said  to  West,  as  he  nearly  tumbled  from  his  sad- 
dle and  gave  his  sister  a  vigorous  hug.  Henry 
West  had  also  dismounted  and  caught  his  horse's 

203 


THE   BRAND 


bridle  over  his  arm.  In  his  glance  was  a  look  of 
questioning  approval  which  caused  Bess  to  ask : 

"I  am  wondering,  Henry,  if  you  like  me  this 
way?" 

"If  all  squaws  looked  as  well,  a  man  wouldn't 
mind  being  an  Indian,"  he  said  significantly, 
walking  by  her  side. 

"Oh!  here  you  are;  where  did  you  hide?" 
cried  little  "Peter  Pan,"  as  she  ran  forward  to 
meet  her  favorite. 

"Put  'Peter  Pan'  on  the  horse  and  let  her 
ride,"  said  Bess,  in  the  way  of  an  introduction 
to  Henry  West.  He  lifted  the  child  gently  and 
placed  her  in  the  saddle,  carefully  guarding  her 
lest  she  fall.  The  child  was  watching  the  dark 
features  of  her  companion  with  an  apprehensive 
look.  As  he  held  her  for  a  moment  in  his  arms 
when  she  dismounted,  she  softly  touched  the 
bronze  cheek  with  her  fingers,  and  said :  "I  like 
you,  even  if  you  are — so  much  darker — than  my 
Uncle  Jim,"  and  slid,  half  afraid,  out  of  his  clasp 
and  ran  to  her  mother's  side,  her  eyes  following 
him. 

As  soon  as  Mr.  Davis  found  an  opportunity 
amid  all  the  confusion  of  introductions  and 
greeting  and  clamorous  talk,  he  stood  near  Bess 
and  said :  "Eeally,  I  had  begun  to  think  you  had 
fled  to  your  'wick-i-up'  and  were  not  coming  to 
see  me  at  all.  Your  disguise  was  scarcely  suffi- 
cient, for  I  knew  you  instantly  and  tried  to  carry 
out  your  joke,  but  you  were  too  hasty." 

Bess  suddenly  let  the  blanket  fall  from  her 
204 


A  PSEUDO  SQUAW 


shoulders  to  the  ground  and  faced  Mr.  Davis 
squarely.  She  looked  into  his  eyes  searchingly; 
beyond  them  she  gazed  till  her  accusing  glance 
penetrated  his  very  soul.  Without  the  tremor  of 
an  eyelash  her  search  was  answered  by  a  look  as 
steady  and  firm  as  her  own.  At  last  a  smile 
broke  upon  her  lips  as  she  said:  "I  did — did 
half  imagine  that  you  really  thought — you  were 
talking  to  an  Indian." 

"They  are  too  uninteresting  to  me  even  to 
stop  to  speak  to,"  he  reassured  her,  and  was  glad 
that  further  explanation  was  interrupted  by  the 
arrival  of  Mr.  George  and  "Uncle  Jim." 

Soon  all  were  enjoying  the  delicious  birds, 
done  to  a  turn  by  the  efficient  chef.  Perhaps  no 
one  of  the  merry  company,  except  Bess,  noticed 
the  reticence  of  Henry  West,  who  sat  beside  her. 
She  quietly  gave  his  hand  a  little  squeeze  as  she 
passed  him  the  salt,  which  sent  the  blood  pound- 
ing through  his  heart  till  he  felt  it  could  surely 
be  heard  by  the  others. 

In  spite  of  the  many  earnest  requests  to  re- 
main, James  and  Henry  declared  that  they  must 
hurry  on  to  rejoin  the  rest  of  the  bunch  who  were 
on  the  round-up.  Dave  Davis,  the  Indian  agent, 
also  took  his  departure  after  several  futile  at- 
tempts to  speak  with  Bess  alone. 

The  rest  of  the  day  was  busy  with  cleaning 
guns,  greasing  the  wheels  and  loading  the  wagon, 
preparatory  for  the  long  trip  to  Sullivan  Creek 
on  the  morrow,  which  would  in  all  probability 
take  two  or  three  days. 

205 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

AN  UNUSUAL  PROPOSAL 

"I'm  sorry  this  is  our  last  day  in  camp,  aren't 
you,  'Peter  Pan'?  We  have  had  such  a  splendid 
time  and  it  seems  all  too  short." 

Bess  and  "Peter  Pan,"  together  with  one  of 
the  dogs,  were  left  alone  in  camp  while  the  rest 
of  the  party  had  gone  on  their  last  shoot.  The 
little  girl  was  feeling  slightly  indisposed  after 
the  last  few  strenuous  days,  so  Bess  asked  to  be 
permitted  to  stay  "at  home"  with  her  for  the 
day,  as  she  could  not,  or  rather  would  not,  shoot 
the  chickens;  anyway,  Mrs.  Bland,  too,  might 
enjoy  one  more  day  with  her  gun  and  the  birds. 

"Yes,  I  am  just  dreadfully  sorry  that  we  shall 
have  to  go  home,  'cause  then  I  won't  see  you  any 
more,  and  I  feel  as  if  I  love  you  next  to  my 
mother,"  answered  "Peter  Pan,"  and  she  put  up 
a  pair  of  puckered  lips  for  a  kiss  as  she  hastily 
swallowed  the  last  bit  of  her  apple  pie. 

"Keally — Miss  Bess,  do  you — do  you  think 
that  a  little  girl  ought  to  have  only  one  piece  of 
pie?"  she  asked,  so  entreatingly  that  Bess,  inju- 
diciously, she  feared,  gave  her  another  large, 
juicy  triangle. 

Laughingly  she  said :  "There  are  times,  dear, 
and  this  is  one  of  them,  when  I  think  a  little 
girl  may  have  all  the  pie  she  wants."  But  before 

206 


AN  UNUSUAL  PROPOSAL 


the  last  crumb  had  been  safely  stored  away,  black 
lashes  were  drooping  languidly  over  a  pair  of 
deep  blue  eyes,  and  a  sleepy  little  girl  was  car- 
ried into  the  tent  where  she  might  sleep  and 
dream  of  apple  pies — p-i-e-s. 

Bess  sat  beside  the  sleeper  with  an  unopened 
magazine  on  her  knee. 

Just  then  her  eyes  rested  on  one  of  the  air- 
beds, and  immediately  she  began  to  wonder  why 
it  shouldn't  make  a  good  boat.  The  more  she 
thought  of  it  the  more  she  determined  to  try  it 
and  see. 

Without  much  trouble  she  arrayed  herself  in 
an  improvised  bathing  suit  and  removed  the 
canvas  cover  from  the  inflated  rubber  bed.  She 
felt  a  reluctance  in  leaving  "Peter  Pan''  alone, 
but  she  thought  she  would  be  gone  only  a  few 
moments  and  would  be  in  full  view  of  the  tent  all 
the  time. 

"Here,  Lady!"  Calling  to  the  drowsy  dog, 
she  placed  the  animal  with  the  sleeping  child. 

Lifting  the  bed  upon  her  back  and  shoulders 
she  proceeded  to  the  beach,  after  procuring  two 
of  the  granite  plates  for  paddles.  Far  down  near 
the  water's  edge  she  could  see  Joe  busy  dressing 
birds  for  dinner.  She  soon  had  her  craft  safely 
launched  and  was  paddling  about  with  great 
glee.  Its  motion  was  susceptible  to  the  slightest 
stroke  of  the  paddles,  and  try  as  she  would  she 
could  not  make  it  tip. 

"Oh,  it's  such  fun !  I  wish  little  'Peter  Pan' 
were  here,  too,  to  enjoy  it,''  she  said  aloud  as  she 

207 


THE   BRAND 


circled  and  splashed  about  in  the  water.  Now 
she  would  sit  on  one  corner  and  dangle  her  feet 
in  the  water,  now  slide  completely  in  while  cling- 
ing firmly  to  the  float. 

An  unceremonious  barking  from  the  tent 
caused  her  to  scramble  quickly  onto  the  bobbing 
craft  and  look  to  see  what  or  who  might  be  the 
intruder. 

"Goodness!"  she  exclaimed,  as  she  saw  Dave 
Davis  leap  from  his  horse  and  fasten  the  reins 
about  a  tree.  He  was  just  about  to  proceed  to- 
ward the  tent  when  she  called  loudly  to  him,  that 
he  might  not  awake  the  sleeping  child.  At  first 
he  did  not  locate  the  direction  of  the  call,  then 
soon  discovered  the  voyager  and  her  ship. 

"Ship  ahoy!"  he  called,  as  he  made  hurried 
strides  over  the  round  pebbles  and  larger  stones 
on  the  beach. 

"I  am  proxene  in  camp  today;  but  I  must 
confess  no  visitors  were  expected,"  said  Bess, 
slipping  into  the  water  to  cover  her  confusion,  as 
she  remembered  too  late  her  dishabille. 

"What  are  you  to  be  next,  I  wonder!  One 
day  I  find  a  squaw  and  another  a  mermaid !" 

"Come  on  in — the  water's  fine,"  said  Bess, 
making  foaming  eddies. 

"It's  rather  dangerous — " 

"Oh,  no!"  interrupted  the  girl.  "See,  she 
can't  tip,"  as  she  tried  to  convince  him  by  her 
varied  maneuvers. 

"Be  serious  a  moment,  Bess,  and  come  out ;  I 
have  something  very  important  to  tell  you." 

208 


AN  UNUSUAL  PROPOSAL 


"Oh!  I  can't  come  out  with  this  rig  on. 
Keally,  I  can't,"  answered  the  girl. 

"I  am  in  a  hurry,  but  must  talk  with  you 
while  we  are  alone." 

"Then  tell  me  here.  I  can  hear  it— anything 
—begin,"  humorously  replied  Bess,  splashing 
vigorously. 

He  deliberately  stepped  upon  a  large  boulder 
which  projected  out  of  the  water  not  far  from  the 
air-bed  boat. 

"Bess,"  he  began  seriously;  and  then  added 
slowly  as  he  held  her  eyes  firmly  with  his  own, 
"you  and  I  are  to  be  married  next  month — the 
fifteenth !" 

"Wh — ,"  came  in  a  gasp  to  the  girl's  parted 
lips ;  but  no  further  sound  could  she  utter.  For 
a  full  moment  she  stared  at  the  man  standing  so 
resolutely,  as  if  he  were  a  part  of  the  very  rock 
itself,  his  large,  splendid  form  drawn  to  its  full 
height,  till  he  seemed  like  a  giant  towering  above 
her.  His  eyes  were  intense  with  passion,  and  his 
voice  trembled  with  emotion  when  he  again  re- 
peated :  "We  are  to  be  married  in  a  month,  dear. 
I  am  going  away  from  this  place,  and  you  are 
going  with  me." 

The  astonished  girl  gave  a  nervous  gasp  as 
she  cleared  her  throat,  trying  to  make  her  words 
audible. 

"I  do  not  seem  to — to  understand !  I — am — 
to — go — away — go — with  you?"  she  asked,  as  her 
face  grew  pale  and  her  lips  became  almost  blue. 

209 


THE   BRAND 


"Yes,  dear — as  my  wife — I  cannot  go  with- 
out you — I  could  not  live  without  you  now  !" 

Stooping  down  he  caught  hold  of  the  floating 
"boat,"  which  had  drifted  quite  against  the  rock 
upon  which  he  stood.  Stretching  forth  the  other 
hand  he  caught  the  girl  by  the  arm  and  lifted 
her  upon  the  rock  close  beside  himself.  The 
water  from  her  soaked  garments  trickled  down 
as  he  held  her  in  a  tight  embrace.  At  length  he 
ceased  to  blind  and  to  smother  her  with  ardent 
kisses,  and  whispered,  "Tell  me  yes — yes !" 

"I'm — cold!  Please  go."  Her  quivering 
form  and  blue  lips  accentuated  her  words. 

"First  say  that  you  love  me — that  you  do 
care." 

"Care?  Oh!  yes — I  care!  Love? — I  do  not 
know!" 

"When  are  you  to  return  to  the  ranch?  Shall 
I  wait  and  come  then  for  my  reply?"  asked  Da- 
vis, earnestly;  and  Bess,  hoping  that  her  an- 
swer might  cause  him  to  hasten  away,  said  eager- 
ly :  "Yes — do — tomorrow." 

She  did  not  resist  the  parting  kiss,  but  her 
lips  did  not  respond  to  his  pressure.  She  heard 
him  hurrying  over  the  pebbles,  heard  him  speak 
to  his  horse,  knew  that  he  had  gone,  but  still  she 
stood  facing  the  lake,  looking  at,  yet  beyond  the 
mountains.  A  feeling  of  numbness  crept  over 
her  body  and  chilled  her  soul.  A  child's  voice 
calling  aroused  her  from  her  lethargy,  and  with 
a  quick  bound  she  sprang  forward  and  ran  to 
the  tent.  After  all,  she  had  not  been  gone  so  very 

210 


AN  UNUSUAL  PROPOSAL 


long,  though  it  seemed  as  if  an  eternity  had  been 
crowded  into  the  half  hour. 

While  she  was  dressing  "Peter  Pan"  had  gone 
to  view  the  wonderful  boat  which  Bess  had  told 
her  of,  and  soon  came  hurrying  back  with  the  en- 
treaty to  "let's  try  it  again — please." 

"The  water  is  too  cold  for  you,  dearie — and 
besides,  I  am  tired  from  my  long  voyage,  you 
see.  Come,  we  will  go  down  by  the  water  and 
wait  until  the  hunters  come  back,  and  Til  tell 
you  stories  of  ships — and  seas — and  everything, 
'nevery  thing  else." 

Sitting  side  by  side  with  a  warm  blanket 
about  them,  they  watched  the  sunset.  The  moun- 
tains were  tipped  in  varying  hues  of  purple  and 
lavender.  Streams  of  glowing  reds  and  yellows 
burned  at  their  bases  like  huge  fairy  fires.  The 
clouds  were  delicate  tints  of  pink  and  coral  upon 
the  softer  white  and  grey.  The  tiny  ripples  over 
the  broad  expanse  of  water  were  an  ever-chang- 
ing kaleidoscope, — first  a  tender,  blue  sapphire, 
then  an  immense  emerald,  now  an  opal  with  its 
evasive  colors  beautifully  blended.  Soon  the 
sun,  like  a  great  ball  of  rusted  brass,  slid  down 
behind  the  mighty  hills,  leaving  but  the  glowing 
embers  of  a  smoldering  day.  Softly  the  vermil- 
lion  changed  into  lavender,  deepened  into  purple 
and  fell  into  charred  umber.  All  the  western 
sky  was  but  a  blackened,  cheerless  grate,  and  an- 
other day  vanished  into  ashes  and  oblivion. 

"Was  it  not  beautiful?"  said  the  little  watch- 
er, as  she  looked  into  the  soft,  brown  eyes  of  her 

211 


THE   BRAND 


companion.  "Don't  you  feel  glad  that  you  live 
here  where  everything  is  so  beautiful?" 

"Yes,  dearie — I  want  to  stay  here — here — 
near  the  mountains,  always!"  And  the  child 
brushed  away  Bess'  tears,  wondering  why  she 
should  cry. 

Oh !  the  reluctance  with  which  good-byes  were 
said  the  next  morning  as  camp  was  broken  up 
and  all  departed  for  home.  Plans  for  next  year 
were  already  projected  and  promises  half  made 
to  come  again.  But  who  could  know  where  all 
would  be  when  again  the  autumn  leaf  should  fall 
and  the  whir  of  wings  should  call? 


212 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

WHY  A  CHEEK  BLANCHES 

Mrs.  West  had  been  watching  the  road  for 
nearly  an  hour,  each  moment  expecting  Bess  to 
come.  The  man  had  started  after  the  girl  early 
in  the  morning,  and  she  was  impatient  for  their 
arrival.  At  last  her  anxiety  was  relieved  as  she 
caught  a  glimpse  of  Mauchacho  hurrying  toward 
home.  She  clasped  the  girl  in  a  loving  embrace 
and  told  her  how  long  the  time  had  been  and 
how  lonely  she  had  felt. 

"I  am  never  going  to  let  you  go  away  again, 
my  dear;  I  cannot  be  happy  without  you!" 

"I'm  going — to — to — a — be  married  next 
month!"  came  like  a  thunderbolt  from  a  clear 
sky.  Bess  slowly  continued  to  draw  off  her  rid- 
ing gloves,  then  to  unfasten  her  sombrero,  and 
flung  them  upon  the  steps  where  she  stood.  She 
ran  her  fingers  through  her  hair,  pushing  it  back 
from  her  face,  glancing  at  the  same  time  at  the 
"little  Mother,"  whose  silence  became  alarming. 
The  woman's  face  grew  white,  and  her  eyes 
dimmed  by  a  thin  film. 

"Next  month — Mr.  Davis — he  will  take  me 
awav — »  continued  Bess,  disconnectedly.  Then 
pulling  herself  together  she  told  Mrs.  West  of 
Mr.  Davis'  visit ;  how  he  had  implored  her  to  end 

213 


THE   BRAND 


his  unhappiness ;  that  he  could  not  go  away  with- 
out her. 

"I  thought  it  all  over  as  I  came  riding  home. 
James  will  not  always  care  to  be  tied  down  by 
an  'old  maid'  sister,  as  I  realize  that  before  very 
long  he  and  Berenice  Morton  will  be  married; 
and  while  I  know  that  their  home  would  gladly 
be  shared  with  me,  still  I  could  not  forever  be 
an  encumbrance.  You — little  Mother — the  only 
mother  I  have  ever  known — I  would  gladly  stay 
near  you — always.  But  he  needs  me,  too — I  have 
made  him  care  for  me,  and  now  can  I  honestly, 
honorably,  destroy  his  happiness,  or  perhaps  his 
life?" 

Mrs.  West  listened  closely  to  the  serious  dec- 
laration, then  lifting  the  lovely  face  with  both 
her  hands,  she  questioned:  "Do  you  love  him, 
Bess?" 

For  an  instant  the  eyelids  quavered,  then 
with  hesitation  Bess  replied:  "How  can  I  know? 
He  fills  me  with  a  strange  excitement.  It  must 
be  love!  I  do  not  know." 

"Well,  my  dear — I  pray  you  may  be  happy. 
He  must  convince  you  that  you  do  love  him,  that 
you  understand  the  new  and  subtle  voice  in  your 
heart." 

"Yes — yes — "  came  from  the  girl's  lips  in  an 
abstracted  tone,  while  her  soft  brown  eyes  sought 
something  in  far-off  space.  She  did  not  hear 
when  Mrs.  West  again  addressed  her,  and  gave 
a  sudden  start  as  one  awakened  abruptly  from 

214 


WHY  A  CHEEK  BLANCHES 

slumber  when  the  white-haired  woman  touched 
her  tenderly. 

"You  did  not  hear  what  I  told  you,  dear;  I 
said  that  I  also  had  a  surprise  for  you.  See! 
Here  it  is,"  as  she  held  up  a  yellow  envelope.  "It 
is  a  message  from  your  friend,  Miss  Morton. 
Fearing  it  contained  some  very  important  news, 
I  took  the  liberty  to  read  it  in  case  I  should  need 
to  send  a  messenger  after  you  to  the  camp.  It 
came  two  days  ago." 

Bess  read  the  telegram  eagerly.  "Oh,  joy! 
Then  she  should  reach  here  tomorrow !  I  wonder 
if  I  can  ever  wait  so  long !" 

How  she  flew  about  during  the  early  after- 
noon hours,  making  preparations  for  her  friend's 
reception  !  Her  dainty  room,  all  fresh  and  clean, 
was  at  last  given  the  finishing  touches,  and  she 
stood  back  near  the  doorway  with  her  pretty 
head  perked  on  one  side,  like  a  saucy  wren's,  and 
her  hands  folded  tightly  together  behind  her.  A 
critical  eye  scanned  every  article  in  the  room, 
and  as  it  swept  the  mirror  it  caught  sight  of  a 
very  flushed  face  with  a  frame  of  soft,  brown 
hair  that  had  rebelled  at  longer  being  confined 
beneath  the  little  white  dust  cap.  An  involun- 
tary laugh  escaped  from  the  girl's  lips  as  she  saw 
the  disheveled  reflection,  but  almost  instantly 
her  merry  countenance  changed  to  an  expression 
of  seriousness,  as  she  suddenly  remembered  that 
she  had  promised  to  give  Dave  Davis  his  answer 
today.  Even  then  she  heard  some  one  approach, 

215 


THE   BRAND 


and   running  to  the  open   window   she   looked 
through  the  curtain  to  see  who  the  visitor  was. 

"Oh!  but  he  is  splendid — I  never  saw  before 
how  tall  and  great  he  really  is!  How  red  his 
cheeks  are  today;  how  brown  his  eyes  are!  Oh! 
I  never  noticed  before  that  he  had  such  lovely 
hair — and  feet — and — "  ran  tumultuously 
through  her  mind.  She  was  looking  at  her  lover 
through  different  glasses  now,  and  saw  with 
other  eyes  than  before. 

"Yes,  little  Mother,"  she  called  hastily,  in  re- 
sponse to  a  gentle  tap  at  her  door,  "please  say 
that  I  shall  be  down  presently." 

Would  her  hair  never  go  up  properly?  Such 
thumbs  for  fingers!  Where  on  earth  were  her 
shoes?  Everything  else  was  out  of  place ! 

"I  will  put  on  my  'dear'  little  dress,"  she 
thought,  as  she  drew  from  its  corner  her  treas- 
ure. Pale  yellow  crepe,  soft,  silken,  creepy,  with 
knots  and  loops  of  brilliant  orange-colored  vel- 
vet. In  her  hair  she  fastened  a  tiny  golden  but- 
terfly, whose  gauzy  wings  swayed  with  her  every 
movement.  Tiny  golden  slippers  peeped  from 
beneath  her  gown,  and  amber  beads  gleamed 
through  the  folds  of  lace  about  her  throat.  How 
the  gown  recalled  the  only  time  she  had  worn  it, 
one  night  at  a  musicale  when  she  had  sung  Nev- 
in's  Mon  Desir. 

"I  think  that  my  riding  togs  feel  more  com- 
fortable, after  all,"  she  thought,  as  she  surveyed 
herself  once  more  in  the  long  mirror,  before  going 
into  the  library. 

216 


WHY  A  CHEEK  BLANCHES 

Her  silken  petticoats  rustled  and  swished  as 
she  descended  the  stairs,  as  if  they  fain  would 
silence  the  beatings  of  her  heart.  She  halted  for 
a  moment  before  the  half-open  door,  nervously 
wiping  her  lips  with  a  dainty  handkerchief.  Then 
she  stepped  calmly  into  the  room. 

Davis  arose  and  started  eagerly  forward,  but 
stopped  abruptly  as  he  beheld  the  delightful  pic- 
ture which  she  made.  Neither  spoke  for  an  in- 
stant, as  each  gazed  directly  into  luminous 
brown  eyes. 

With  an  effort,  as  she  again  brushed  the  bit 
of  lace  across  her  lips,  Bess  spoke:  "I  have  de- 
cided, Mr.  Davis.  My  answer  is — yes !" 

How  long  he  held  her  in  passionate  embrace, 
how  fervently  he  rained  caresses  upon  her  eyes, 
her  mouth,  her  hair,  Bess  did  not  know.  In- 
stead, she  wondered  if  the  butterfly  in  her  hair 
would  suddenly  become  animate  and  fly  away, 
so  persistently  did  it  flutter  its  gauzy  wings.  She, 
heard  the  rustle  of  the  silken  crepe  of  her  gown 
under  the  pressure  of  his  arm.  She  felt  the  am- 
ber beads  trickle  down  her  shoulders  and  strike 
with  soft  patter  on  the  rug,  as  they  became  re- 
leased as  if  scissors  had  snapped  their  cord.  Un- 
consciously she  stooped  to  pick  them  up,  but  the 
man  held  her  fast. 

"Oh — please — !"  she  cried.  Summoning  all 
her  strength  she  wrested  herself  free,  her  heart 
beating  wildly. 

"Forgive  me,  dear — I  could  devour  you !  You 
were  never  so  beautiful,  so  lovable  before!  I'm 

217 


THE   BRAND 


sorry  to  have  frightened  you/'  said  Davis,  his 
voice  scarcely  audible  in  its  emotion. 

"Bess/'  he  began  more  calmly,  "I  dare  not  tell 
myself  how  happy  you  have  made  me.  To  think 
that  you  are  really  mine — mine!  To  know  that 
I  may  take  you  away  from  here,  this  dreadful 
country  with  its  sordid  conditions,  its  Indians. 
To  feel  that  you  have  given  me  the  right  to  place 
you  in  a  realm  where  you  may  be  the  queen  that 
you  are!" 

Taking  her  gently  by  the  hand  he  led  her  to  a 
seat  and  then  began  telling  her  his  plans.  He 
said  that  no  preparations  need  be  made  as  to 
trousseau,  as  everything  could  be  procured  after 
they  had  reached  New  York,  as  she  objected  to 
being  married  so  soon.  Rather  reluctantly  he 
consented  to  her  wish  to  be  married  here  at  HW 
ranch  and  by  Father  Damien  of  St.  Ignatius 
Mission.  It  should  be  very  quiet  with  no  guests 
present. 

"I  shall  have  a  bridesmaid,  however,"  said 
Bess.  "I  have  just  received  word  that  my  dear- 
est friend  will  be  here  tomorrow — Berenice  Mor- 
ton." 

"Mor — ton — did  you  say — Morton?"  asked 
Mr.  Davis,  in  a  strange  voice. 

"Have  I  never  told  you  of  her?"  added  Bess, 
apparently  unnoticing  any  embarrassment.  "We 
were  at  the  convent  school  together,  and  just  the 
greatest  of  chums!  I  have  not  seen  her  since 
then,  and  now  I  can  scarcely  wait  until  she  ar- 
rives. She  wrote  me  that  her  visit  could  be  only 

218 


WHY  A  CHEEK  BLANCHES 

three  weeks,  but  I  am  sure  that  she  can  be 
prevailed  upon  to  be  my  bridesmaid,  and  then 
she  could  return  with  me — with  us — as  far  as 
New  York.  Where  is  her  home,  did  you  ask? 
She,  with  her  father  and  an  invalid  sister,  have 
been  spending  the  past  few  months  in  the  moun- 
tains in  New  Hampshire.  I  do  not  know  whether 
they  will  return  to  their  home  near  Boston  or 
not.  You  see — so  many — many  heartaches 
were — "  Bess  could  not  finish  her  sentence.  The 
swift  rush  of  tears  choked  her  voice  as  the  flood 
of  memory  swept  over  her. 

Twice  did  Mr.  Davis  attempt  to  speak  before 
he  felt  he  had  assumed  control  of  his  voice.  It 
was  not  pity,  nor  sympathy,  however,  which 
stirred  his  soul.  It  was  fear — fear  lest  she 
should  detect  his  confusion ;  fear  lest  her  friend 
should  prove  to  be  the  same  girl  whom  he  had 
met  only  once  before — five  years  before.  But 
then,  if  she  were  the  same,  he  had  changed  so 
greatly  that  surely  she  would  not  remember  him. 
An  invalid  sister !  Could  it  be  possible  that  after 
all  she — she — was  still  living!  Surely,  she  had 
died — he  was  positive!  Perhaps  there  had  been 
a  third  sister — there  must  have  been;  still  .  .  . 

"What  are  you  thinking  of  so  seriously?" 
asked  Bess,  as  his  prolonged  silence  made  her 
turn  from  the  window. 

"I  was  thinking,  my  dear,  of  how — of  what  I 
have  to  tell  you.  I  have  received  word  from 
Washington  to  come  there  at  once.  Undoubtedly 
it  is  business  concerning  my — resignation, 

219 


THE   BRAND 


which  I  recently  submitted.  I  fear  it  may  keep 
me  from  you  for  several  weeks,  and  that  my  re- 
turn may  be  impossible  before  the  tenth  of  Oc- 
tober." 

"Oh!  you  need  not  mind.  I  am  sure  that 
Berenice  and  I  shall  be  able  to  enjoy  ourselves," 
said  Bess,  carelessly.  If  he  felt  any  chagrin  at 
her  indifference  he  did  not  exhibit  it  when  he 
bade  her  good-bye.  As  the  man  remounted  his 
horse  and  rode  away  he  did  not  see  the  interested 
pair  of  eyes  watching  him  through  the  curtains. 

As  much  as  he  dreaded  being  parted  from  his 
love  for  several  endless  weeks,  still  he  felt  thank- 
ful that  he  would  not  be  obliged  to  meet  Berenice 
Morton  until  shortly  before  the  wedding,  as 
there  might  be  a  possibility  of  his  being  recog- 
nized, and  should  such  be  the  case  he  feared  the 
consequences.  As  it  was,  he  was  taking  a  long 
chance,  and  unless  something  unforeseen  should 
occur  he  must  face  the  inevitable  meeting. 

"Ah,"  he  thought,  "why  not,  after  I  am  gone, 
try  to  persuade  her  to  come  to  me?  I  can  easily 
find  some  excuse  which  will  make  her  coming  to 
me  imperative!" 

As  he  hastened  on  he  already  tried  to  formu- 
late some  plan  whereby  his  return  would  be  un- 
necessary, and  consequently  an  embarrassing 
meeting  might  be  eliminated. 


220 


CHAPTER  XXV 

BERENICE    MORTON'S   ARRIVAL 

"Stand  over  there,  Berenice,  and  let  me  look 
at  you  all  I  want,"  said  Bess,  as  she  and  her 
friend  entered  the  living  room. 

Mrs.  West,  after  the  return  from  Poison, 
where  she  and  Bess  had  gone  together  to  meet 
their  visitor,  had  slipped  quietly  away  that  the 
two  young  women  might  be  alone  during  the  first 
moments. 

Berenice  Morton  did  as  requested  and  walked 
to  the  far  end  of  the  room.  Bess  clasped  her 
hands  across  her  breast  as  she  feasted  her  eyes 
upon  her  friend.  Tall,  even  taller  than  Bess  her- 
self, and  graceful  as  a  swaying  reed,  she  moved 
with  sweet  dignity.  As  she  turned  about  her 
large,  grey  eyes,  with  their  dark  lashes,  her  rosy 
cheeks,  aflame  with  a  new  excitement,  her  lips 
curved  in  a  sweet  smile,  made  a  picture,  set  in  a 
frame  of  burnished  light  hair. 

"Well — Bess,  dear,  isn't  this  enough?"  laugh- 
ingly questioned  Berenice,  when  she  felt  Bess  had 
inspected  her  sufficiently. 

"How  your  glasses  change  your  looks !  They 
make  you  seem  so  dignified  that  I  really  wonder 
if  you  are  the  same  girl  that  used  to  help  me  play 
some  of  those  dreadful  pranks.  Your  hair,  which 
you  always  declared  was  just  like  mine,  is  ever  so 

221 


THE   BRAND 


much  lighter,  and — dear  me ! — so  much  'kinkier.' 
Oh !    If  I  only  were  g-r-a-n-d  like  you !" 

"If  I  were  only  s-w-e-e-t  like  you!"  replied 
Miss  Morton,  as  again  they  embraced  each  other. 

"Berenice,  of  course,  I  have  ten  million  things 
to  tell  you,  three  of  'whom'  are  very  important. 
But  first  you  must  get  freshened  up  and  rested. 
Then,  after  luncheon,  I'll  take  you  to  my  den— 
'way  off  along  the  lake,  where  no  one  dares  to  go 
'ceptin'  me,"  she  said,  in  a  low,  sepulchral  tone, 
which  might  make  one  surmise  all  kinds  of  ter- 
rible things. 

"Bess !  don't  take  me  if  there  is  any  danger  of 
mountain  lions,  or  bears,  or — or — Indians. 
Father  made  me  promise  to  come  back  with  my 
hair  all  on  and  with  my  body  intact,"  Berenice 
tried  to  say  seriously,  but  her  sparkling  eyes  be- 
lied her. 

"How  about  your  heart,  Miss  Lady?  Did  he 
warn  you  about  that  also?"  laughed  Bess,  as  she 
linked  her  arm  through  her  friend's  and  led  her 
upstairs  into  her  room. 

"How  perfectly  dear,  Bess !  No  wonder  you 
have  been  so  happy  and  contented  here !" 

"Do  look  at  those  wonderful  mountains,  that 
great  expanse  of  water,  those  towering  trees,  that 
— oh!  everything!"  ejaculated  the  stranger,  as 
she  gazed  out  of  the  opened  window.  "Isn't  it 
magnificent?" 

"Now,  do  you  wonder  at  all  the  ravings  my 
letters  contained,  Berenice?" 

222 


BERENICE  MORTON'S  ARRIVAL 

"No,  I  do  not,  and  I  do  not  wonder  that  you 
wrote  that  yon  could  stay  here  always." 

"Always !"  thought  Bess,  "always."  And  yet 
soon  would  she  leave  this  sublime  beauty,  and  she 
could  feast  her  heart  only  upon  its  memory. 
Could  she  make  the  sacrifice? 

Bess  left  her  friend  and  hastened  to  the  din- 
ing room  to  be  of  assistance  there.  She  cau- 
tioned Mrs.  West  against  saying  anything  at  all 
concerning  Mr.  Davis,  until  she  might  announce 
her  engagement  to  Miss  Morton. 

How  deeply  Mrs.  West  and  Bess  regretted 
that  the  "boys"  would  not  reach  home  until  to- 
morrow. 

"And  yet,"  said  Bess,  "I  am  glad  to  get  a 
chance  for  a  word  or  two  before  James  comes." 

A  bunch  of  rose-berries,  large  and  scarlet,  in- 
termingled with  the  white  berries  on  stems  of 
buck-bush,  graced  the  center  of  the  table,  while 
at  each  plate  lay  a  shining  spray  of  Oregon  grape 
leaves. 

After  the  simple  meal  was  finished  the  girls 
arose  to  leave  the  room.  Berenice  reached  to 
pluck  some  of  the  rose-berries  for  her  hair,  when 
she  abruptly  gathered  Mrs.  West  into  her  arms. 
She  put  her  cheek  against  the  soft,  white  hair 
and  kissed  her.  Then,  looking  into  the  woman's 
dark  eyes:  "My  dear  mother's  hair  was  like 
this,"  she  said,  stroking  it  gently.  "Bess  tried  to 
tell  me  in  her  letters  of  her  'little  Mother,'  but 
she  failed.  You  are  dear — more  dear  than  one 
can  say,  or  tell,  or  even  feel." 

223 


THE   BRAND 


Mrs.  West's  only  reply  to  this  unexpected 
declaration  from  the  dignified  stranger  was  a' 
firm  pressure  of  the  girl's  hands.  She  watched 
the  pair  as  they  descended  the  steps  and  wan- 
dered off  toward  the  lake  shore,  where  she  knew 
Bess  sought  her  favorite  retreat. 

On  and  on  they  walked  until  at  length  they 
came  to  an  abrupt  rise  in  the  ground.  Bess  led 
the  way  around  the  rocks  to  a  huge  boulder,  soft- 
ened by  mosses  and  lichens,  projecting  far  out 
from  its  supporting  rocks.  They  bent  their  heads 
as  they  entered  the  partial  enclosure,  and  were 
soon  seated  upon  large,  smooth  blocks  which  had 
been  sawed  from  a  huge  pine  log.  One  had  been 
utilized  for  a  table,  upon  which  lay  several  worn 
magazines.  A  thick  carpet  of  pine  needles  which 
Bess  had  gathered  and  strewn  in  her  den  covered 
the  floor.  The  opening  was  directly  toward  the 
lake,  whose  waters  were  now  splashing  with 
whitened  foam  upon  the  rocky  shore. 

"There — isn't  this  a  'really'  den?  When  I  kill 
a  bear  and  a  mountain  lion  I  shall  place  the  skins 
in  here;  and  the  antlers  from  a  buck  shall  be 
hung  above  the  door." 

"What  a  splendid  place  to  come  and  dream !" 

"Yes,"  answered  Bess.  "Henry  West  helped 
me  to  make  the  chairs,  or  rather  the  seats.  It 
was  warm  work  pulling  on  the  big  saw,  but  so 
competent  did  I  prove  that  he  offered  to  let  me 
saw  the  winter's  supply  of  wood,"  she  laughed 
softly. 

Wrapping  a  blanket  about  herself  and  choos- 
224 


BERENICE  MORTON'S  ARRIVAL 

ing  a  comfortable  seat,  Berenice  Morton  sat  anx- 
iously waiting  for  Bess  to  begin  relating  the 
million  important  themes,  but  especially  "the 
first  three  of  whom." 

For  several  moments  Bess  gazed  intently  over 
the  lake,  huddled  snugly  in  the  folds  of  her  blan- 
ket. Then,  unfastening  the  beaded  belt  and  with- 
drawing it  from  beneath  its  cover,  pulling  it 
slowly  through  her  fingers,  she  said :  "You — you 
will  surely  like  Henry  West." 

She  paused  for  a  moment,  the  while  deeply 
thinking;  then  continued,  deliberately:  "So 
generous,  thoughtful,  kind;  so  tender  with  his 
mother;  so  human,  so  different,  so—"  and  again 
her  thoughts  wandered  in  search  of  words  fit  to 
express  her  encomium. 

"Do  you  care  so  much  for  him,  dear?  More 
than  for  anyone  else?"  asked  the  interested  lis- 
tener. 

"Oh! — I — you  see,  Berenice — it  was  because 
of  this  belt,  he  saved  my  life,"  came  in  an  evasive 
reply. 

Bess  felt  a  wave  of  color  surge  over  her  face, 
and  the  blood  in  her  heart  began  to  pound  vio- 
lently as  she  briefly  related  the  story  of  her  peril- 
ous adventure  and  rescue. 

"James  and  Henry  West  will  reach  home  some 
time  tomorrow,  Berenice.  James  has  tried  to 
appear  unconcerned  ever  since  he  knew  you  were 
coming  this  fall,"  she  laughed,  "and  I  am  in- 
clined to  believe  that  perhaps  Miss  Berenice  Mor- 
ton will  be  just  a  little  de-e-lighted,  too,  when  the 

225 


THE   BRAND 


Bess  gave  her  friend  an  impul- 
sive squeeze  that  made  reply  an  impossibility. 

"Well — I've  heard  of  Henry  West  and  also 
concerning  James  Fletcher;  what,  pray,  is  the 
third  item  of  interest?"  asked  Miss  Morton,  when 
she  had  again  resumed  her  comfortable  position. 

Bess  arose,  dropping  her  blanket  near  the 
seat,  and  walked  deliberately  outside  the  opening 
of  her  "den."  Lifting  both  her  hands  to  brush  her 
hair  from  her  face,  then  letting  them  rest,  with 
fingers  intertwined  about  her  head,  she  turned 
and  looked  in  at  the  awaiting  listener. 

"On  the  fifteenth  of  October  I  am  to  be  mar- 
ried to  Mr.  Dave  Davis,  the  Indian  agent  of  this 
reservation !" 

Berenice  opened  her  eyes  and  mouth  in  wide 
amazement.  Lifting  her  glasses  from  her  nose 
and  poising  them  in  her  fingers,  she  gazed  with 
astonishment  at  Bess  Fletcher. 

"Bess !  And  you  never  told  me  a  single  word 
of  him  before!" 

Bess  then  told  her  in  as  few  words  as  possible 
of  her  brief  courtship  and  the  reason  for  the 
hasty  marriage;  she  also  outlined  her  few  plans 
for  the  wedding,  requesting  that  Berenice  write 
for  her  father's  consent  to  prolong  her  visit,  that 
she  might  assist  as  bridesmaid.  Soon  busy 
tongues  were  planning  details,  and  by  the  time 
the  sun's  slanting  rays  lighted  up  the  tiny  cavern 
and  warned  its  occupants  of  the  closing  day, 
every  item,  each  particular,  had  been  planned 
for  the  coming  nuptials. 

226 


BERENICE  MORTONS  ARRIVAL 

The  following  day  the  girls  began  to  watch 
early  for  the  advent  of  James  and  Henry.  Once, 
as  they  sighted  several  horsemen,  they  ran  down 
the  road,  only  to  be  disappointed.  It  was  late 
in  the  afternoon,  nearly  dinner  time,  when  at  last 
they  came,  tired  and  dirty.  Berenice  wondered 
what  the  large,  woolly  things  were  over  their 
trousers;  why  their  boots  had  such  high  heels; 
what  all  the  rope  and  "fixin's"  about  their  sad- 
dles were  used  for,  as  she  peered  cautiously  from 
the  upstairs  window. 

When  Bess  finally  saw  them  returning  she 
tried  in  vain  to  persuade  Berenice  to  go  with  her 
to  meet  them,  and  now  she  decided  that  the 
"boys"  should  not  be  told  until  dinner  time  of 
the  presence  of  the  guest. 

Henry  slipped  from  his  saddle  when  he  saw 
Bess  coming  toward  them,  and  lifting  his  big 
hat  and  holding  the  impatient  horse  with  the 
other,  said:  "Let  me  be  first  to  congratulate 
you.  James — "  but  he  was  interrupted  by  James 
hurrying  forward  and  greeting  his  sister  with, 
"Congratulations,  Sister;  met  Davis  early  this 
morning  and  he  told  me  all  about  it." 

West  had  taken  the  reins  of  James'  horse  and 
led  him  on  toward  the  gate.  The  girl  did  not  see 
his  face  pale  under  the  dark  skin,  nor  had  she 
detected  any  emotion  in  his  voice  as  he  spoke. 
She  felt  just  a  little  hurt  at  his  unconcern,  for 
she  had  thought  that  he  might  care. 

The  brother,  with  his  arm  placed  affection- 
227 


THE   BRAND 


ately  about  his  sister,  listened  to  her  brief  plans 
and  heartily  approved  of  them  all. 

"I  am  especially  glad,  Sister,  because  I  have 
just  made  up  my  mind  to  return  again  to  my  law 
practice  soon.  My  health  seems  to  be  fully  re- 
stored, and  while  I  enjoy  this  life,  still  I  believe 
it  to  be  to  my  greater  interest  to  return  East. 
And  then,  too,  sometime — I  hope — that  is — per- 
haps Ber — "  but  he  was  abruptly  interrupted  by 
his  sister  uttering  a  sudden  oh-h-h !  and  hurrying 
into  the  house. 

Not  long  after  Mrs.  West  called  "dinner" 
from  the  dining  room.  James  and  Henry  arose 
from  their  respective  easy  chairs,  laboriously  and 
stiffly,  and  slowly  sought  their  places  at  the  ta- 
ble. Mrs.  West  also  stood  behind  her  chair  wait- 
ing for  the  occupants  of  the  other  places.  James 
thought  he  heard  a  suppressed  giggle  at  the  door, 
but  did  not  face  about.  Henry  had  just  noticed 
that  two  places  were  still  vacant,  and  his  slight 
curiosity  was  immediately  relieved  by  two  very 
tall,  beautiful,  smiling  women  advancing  into 
the  room. 

James  was  about  to  request  his  tardy  sister 
to  hasten,  when,  by  half  turning,  he  came  face  to 
face  with  Berenice  Morton.  So  completely  was 
he  surprised  that  he  could  not  speak  a  word. 
She  advanced  and  held  up  her  hand,  which  he 
grasped  in  both  his  own  as  he  whispered — "Bee !" 

Bess  laughingly  pulled  her  aside,  and  leading 
her  over  to  the  other  side  of  the  table  waited  an 
instant  for  Mrs.  West  to  introduce  the  stranger 

228 


BERENICE  MORTON'S  ARRIVAL 

to  her  son.  Berenice  returned  the  firm  pressure 
of  the  man's  hand  as  she  smiled  frankly  into  his 
deep  eyes.  The  tempting  viands  were  being 
shamefully  ignored.  One  girl  was  too  busy  with 
her  merry  jests,  while  another  could  scarcely  an- 
swer all  the  interrogatives  which  were  being 
hurled  at  her  by  James. 

Mrs.  West  wondered  at  her  son's  loss  of  appe- 
tite and  softly  asked  if  he  were  ill.  Sick?  Yes! 
Heart-sick — miserably,  utterly,  hopelessly  heart- 
sick. Ill  with  the  pain  that  knows  no  healing — 
with  a  pain  that  knows  no  balm!  With  an  en- 
forced smile  he  assured  his  mother  that  he  was 
only  tired,  and  made  an  effort  to  join  in  the 
merry  conversation. 

"You  two  'boys'  must  not  plan  a  single  thing 
for  the  next  few  weeks,  except  to  'pack'  us  girls 
about.  Don't  you  say  so,  too,  'little  Mother?' 
laughed  Bess,  as  they  arose  from  the  dinner  ta- 
ble. 

"That  is,  of  course,  if  you  can  endure  me  so 
long,  Henry;  for  you  can  plainly  see  by  that," 
pointing  to  the  pair  already  departing  through 
the  doorway,  "that  I  shall  need  dreadfully  to 
have  some  one  be  a  little  kind  to  me,  also,"  she 
added,  with  sweetly  pouting  lips. 

His  impulse  was  to  reply  that  he  wished  he 
might  be  kind  always,  but  instead  he  remarked 
jocosely:  "Perhaps — I  may  manage — Bess — to 
'endure'  you.  I  shall  gladly  help  to  entertain 
your  friend  in  any  way  I  may." 

"Come,  Henry,"  said  Bess,  after  she  had  as- 

229 


TEE   BRAND 


sisted  in  clearing  the  dining  table,  "Berenice 
shall  play  and  I  will  sing  for  you  and  for  James." 

Song  after  song  was  sung — music,  soft  and 
tender,  came  from  the  gentle  touch  of  the  girl  at 
the  piano.  Bright,  glowing  coals  were  gleaming 
in  the  grate  where  before  were  snapping  brands. 
Pale  moonlight  filtered  through  the  curtains  and 
filled  the  room  with  soft,  luminous  light.  Silence 
settled  upon  all,  and  each,  unconscious  of  the 
others,  was  deeply  absorbed  in  thought. 

"The  place  for  dreaming  is  in  bed.  Come, 
my  children;  it  is  late  and  growing  cold,"  said 
Mrs.  West. 

What  glorious,  happy  days  followed!  Sep- 
tember, with  its  soft,  warm  days,  each  filled  with 
delightful  rides  and  excursions,  had  given  place 
to  opalescent  October,  that  wonderful  month 
with  its  brilliant  colorings,  its  ever-changing 
skies  and  glorious  sunsets.  Indian  summer  lin- 
gered on,  day  after  day,  and  the  fervent  sunshine 
made  it  difficult  to  realize  that  soon  flaky  snow 
would  be  falling,  covering  each  nude  limb  and 
rock  with  a  winter  blanket. 

Bess  Fletcher  had  managed  during  the  in- 
terim to  complete  her  wedding  gown — simple 
white  and  severely  plain.  She  had  been  unusu- 
ally light-hearted  and  merry ;  still,  several  times 
when  alone,  as  she  thought  how  rapidly  the  day 
of  her  wedding  was  approaching,  a  spasm  of  pain 
had  seized  her,  which  fairly  made  her  sick.  It 
was  a  strange  sensation  which  she  could  not  de- 
fine; and  hoping  that  she  would  soon  overcome 

230 


BERENICE  MORTON'S  ARRIVAL 

it,  did  not  mention  it  to  Mrs.  West  nor  to  her 
friend. 

Every  day  brought  ardent  letters,  and  some- 
times Berenice  wondered  how  Bess  could  wait  so 
long  before  reading  them. 

But,  most  of  all,  Henry  West's  mother  mar- 
veled at  her  son's  changed  manner.  He  en- 
tered heartily  into  all  the  fun,  and  even  neg- 
lected a  number  of  affairs  about  the  ranch  to  ac- 
company the  other  three  upon  some  of  their  long 
rides.  His  laugh  was  frequent  and  his  jesting 
talk  unceasing.  Often  Bess  gazed  at  him  in 
amazement  and  tried  to  solve  his  strange,  new 
mood.  She  felt  like  restraining  him  sometimes 
when  his  merriment  seemed  almost  undignified, 
and  beg  of  him  to  be  his  former  self — quiet,  calm, 
or  even  cold.  Once  she  came  upon  him  quite  un- 
awares in  the  library.  He  was  seated  at  the  ta- 
ble, his  arms  thrown  out  upon  it,  with  his  face 
buried  in  them.  He  did  not  hear  her  enter,  and 
as  she  touched  his  arm  he  sprang  suddenly  from 
his  seat,  overturning  the  chair.  For  an  instant 
his  face  held  its  expression  of  misery,  then  sud- 
denly he  burst  into  a  loud,  grating  laugh.  Bess 
was  dumb  with  bewilderment  at  his  peculiar  ac- 
tion. 

"Henry — what  is  the  matter?  I  hate  you 
when  you  are  so  unlike  yourself !  You  have  been 
positively  horrid  for  more  than  a  week !  Do  tell 
me  if  you  are  ill,  or  what  I  may  do  to  make  you 
behave!"  she  stormed  at  him,  her  eyes  flashing 
with  anger  and  bright  spots  burning  upon  each 

231 


THE   BRAND 


cheek.  Suddenly  West  checked  his  laugh  and 
passed  his  hand  against  his  brow  as  if  to  stop  its 
pain.  He  moistened  his  parched  lips  and  drew 
deep,  long  breaths,  while  glowing,  intense  eyes 
pierced  the  girPs  very  soul. 

"Bess — Bess,  I'm  sorry.  Must  be  I'm  not 
well,"  he  hesitated,  as  if  to  catch  his  breath. 

Becoming  alarmed,  Bess  started  for  the  door 
in  search  of  Mrs.  West. 

"Stop,  Bess — do  not  go — I  need  nothing. 
There  is  something — something — I  have  wanted 
to  tell  you — so  long  ago — something — "  he  sank 
into  a  chair  unnerved.  The  girl  walked  softly  to 
his  side  and  placed  her  hand  upon  his  own.  He 
clutched  it  with  a  cruel  grasp,  then  said :  "Please 
go  over  there — I  cannot  talk — if  you  are  so  near 
me!" 

"Go  on,  Henry,"  requested  the  girl,  after  wait- 
ing what  seemed  an  interminable  length  of  time. 
Her  heart  was  wrung  with  pity,  and  she  could 
scarcely  endure  seeing  his  wretchedness. 

"I — I  am  sorry,"  he  began  slowly,  as  if  with 
an  effort  to  find  words,  "that  you  are  to  marry 
— that  man.  Bess — "  rising  abruptly  and  facing 
her,  "I  have  grave  reasons — believe  me,  for  hat- 
ing him  as  I  do.  They  cannot  be  told  without  in- 
jury to — to — "  but  his  sentence  was  interrupted 
by  the  sudden  entrance  of  James  and  Berenice. 

"Well!  Here  are  the  two  pikers!"  chided 
James.  "We  have  been  waiting  ages  for  you !" 

"Henry  is  not  feeling  well.  Let's  stay  at 
home  today." 

232 


BERENICE  MORTON'S  ARRIVAL 

James  gave  his  sister  a  packet  of  letters 
which  she  scanned  carelessly.  At  her  brother's 
request  to  hurry  and  see  when  Davis  was  coming, 
she  opened  his  letter.  It  was  very  brief.  All  it 
contained  was  a  request  that  their  plans  be 
changed  and  that  she  come  to  New  York  for  the 
wedding,  where  he  would  await  her.  No  explana- 
tions were  given  for  his  request.  James  saw  that 
the  news  contained  in  the  letter  was  displeasing, 
and  taking  it,  at  her  request  that  he  read,  saw  at 
a  glance  what  was  written. 

"Well,  Bess — shall  you  go?"  and  he  briefly  an- 
nounced the  contents  of  the  letter  to  the  others. 

"James — please  send  a  wire  to  Mr.  Davis  that 
my  plans  will  remain  unchanged !"  and  she  swept 
haughtily  from  the  room. 

"Gee — I  admire  her  spunk,  don't  you,  Bee?" 
said  James  to  the  girl,  as  she  hastened  after  her 
friend. 

One  day,  as  Bess  and  Berenice  were  wander- 
ing, rather  aimlessly  among  the  pines  quite  near 
the  house,  Berenice  exclaimed:  "Oh!  what  a 
novelty  'twould  be  to  have  the  ceremony  out  of 
doors !  Here — right  here !" 

Her  suggestion  had  reference  to  a  large,  flat 
rock  completely  overrun  with  beautiful,  creepy 
kinnikinick,  and  resting  at  the  base  of  a  large 
tamarack  tree.  The  small  firs  made  a  dark- 
green  background,  and  entwined  about  them  hung 
clusters  of  clematis,  now  white  with  downy, 
smoky  balls. 

"Yes — it  would  be  pretty.  All  right,  we  shall ! 
233 


THE   BRAND 


Just  think,  dear,  only  one  day  more,  and  then — " 

"Oh,  my !  Somehow  the  time  has  seemed  too 
short,"  remarked  Bess,  and  her  friend  could  not 
fail  to  hear  the  sadness  which  crept  into  her 
voice. 

Dave  Davis  had  written  that  his  business  had 
detained  him  much  longer  than  he  had  thought, 
but  that  he  should  be  able  to  reach  HW  ranch 
on  the  fourteenth.  However,  on  the  morrow 
came  a  messenger  with  a  letter  from  Mr.  Davis, 
stating  that  he  could  not  possibly  reach  the 
ranch  before  the  day  of  the  wedding,  and  that 
nothing,  nothing  on  earth  should  prevent  his  be- 
ing there  in  ample  time. 

"I  shall  explain  in  detail  as  soon  as  I  see 
you,  dear,"  the  message  ran,  "and  cannot  express 
how  the  enforced  delay  has  hurt  me." 

"Dear  me,  Bess;  I  had  hoped  to  know  him 
intimately  before  'the  day,'  "  said  Berenice,  truly 
regretful. 

If  Bess  felt  any  displeasure  or  annoyance 
her  manner  nor  her  reply  did  not  betray  it.  Her 
greater  concern,  seemingly,  was  whether  or  no 
Henry  West  would  be  home  in  time  to  attend 
the  ceremony.  Two  days  before  he  had  received 
word  from  a  distant  part  of  the  range  that  some 
trouble  among  the  stock  demanded  his  immedi- 
ate attention.  As  he  hastily  bade  her  good-bye, 
he  said  he  hoped  to  be  back  on  the  fifteenth,  or 
at  least  in  time  to  say  good-bye  before  she  and 
Berenice  should  take  their  departure. 


234 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

A   WEDDING  DAY 

At  last  the  morning  dawned.  Berenice  Mor- 
ton sprang  out  of  bed  and  hastened  to  scan  the 
sky.  Eoseate  beauty,  softened  by  a  line  of  tinted 
clouds,  gladdened  all  the  east.  The  rugged  out- 
line of  the  mountains  lay  clear-cut  against  the 
flaming  sky.  The  sun  heralded  the  new-born  day 
with  wondrous  grandeur.  The  entranced  spec- 
tator turned  with  an  exclamation  of  joy,  but 
discovered  that  Bess  was  still  in  profound  sleep. 
She  took  a  step  forward  to  awaken  her,  but  re- 
frained, as  she  thought  how  worn  out  the  girl 
must  be  after  all  the  strenuous  labor  of  decorat- 
ing the  rooms  the  day  before. 

So  soundly  had  she  herself  slept  that  she  did 
not  know  that  Bess  had  not  closed  her  eyes  until 
dawn.  All  through  the  night  her  mind  ran  from 
one  thing  to  another.  Once  she  was  seized  by 
the  same  pain,  grown  so  frequent  of  late,  which 
filled  her  with  fear, — but  fear  for  what  she  could 
not  analyze. 

Berenice  quietly  drew  the  shades  and,  hastily 
dressing,  left  the  room.  Mrs.  West  also  thought 
it  wise  to  let  the  sleeper  rest  as  long  as  she 
could,  that  she  might  be  able  to  meet  the  strain 
of  the  day.  At  the  first  stir  she  heard,  Berenice 
ran  upstairs  with  a  dainty  breakfast.  It  was 

235 


THE   BRAND 


late,  dreadfully  so — nine  o'clock,  Bess  noticed, 
as  she  stretched  and  yawned  with  no  apparent 
concern. 

"Come,  Old  Sleepy !  You  better  hurry,  or 
Mr.  Davis  will  have  to  be  entertained  by  me 
when  he  arrives!" 

"Berenice,  please  find  James  and  tell  him 
that  he  must  receive  and  entertain — a — Mr.  Da- 
vis, as  I  shall  be  too  busy  getting  into  my  'gorde- 
ous'  robes,  as  'Peter  Pan'  would  say,"  said  Bess, 
half  jestingly,  as  she  began  to  make  her  toilet. 
"Hurry  back,  dear,  as  I  cannot  dress  without 
you,"  she  called  from  the  banister  as  Berenice 
ran  down  the  steps. 

Presently  Mrs.  West  came  into  the  girl's 
room  with  the  announcement  that  everything 
was  ready, — the  luncheon  table,  the  salad,  the 
dessert, — everything.  Father  Damien  had  come 
an  hour  ago  and  was  resting  in  the  library. 

"Now,  all  we  are  waiting  for  is  the  bride- 
groom and  the  hour  of  noon,"  laughed  Mrs. 
West,  as  she  took  Bess  into  her  motherly  arms 
and  held  her  tightly  for  a  moment. 

Bess  snuggled  close  and  said,  with  half  a 
sigh,  "Oh — h — little  Mother;  I  half  wish  he 
would  not  come !  I  am  afraid,  I  dread  assuming 
this  awful  responsibility!" 

"Why — child — how  strangely  you  talk! 
Surely,  you  are  not  in  earnest!" 

"I  have  had  the  strangest  feeling  in  regard  to 
— to  my  going  away  ever  since  I  promised  to  go. 

236 


A  WEDDING  DAY 


I  cannot  bear  to  leave  you — my  home,  this  hap- 
piness, these  hills — all — "  The  girl  buried  her 
face  against  the  woman's  neck  and  burst  into 
tears. 

"Bess,  dear,  no  more  tears  today.  Here  comes 
Berenice;  don't  let  her  see!" 

But  the  eyes  were  not  dried  quickly  enough, 
for  as  Berenice  came  hurrying  into  the  room  she 
exclaimed:  "So  you're  like  all  the  other  brides; 
they  all  have  to  have  a  weep,  I'm  told,"  and  she 
gave  Bess  a  vigorous  shake  as  she  continued: 
"Cheer  up,  dearie — for — 'behold,  the  bridegroom 
co-om-eth.'  "  She  sang  the  familiar  air  in  closing 
her  adjuration. 

Berenice  hastened  about,  putting  on  the  last 
few  touches,  and  then  quickly  made  her  own 
toilet. 

"How  are  you  impressed  with  my — 'man'?" 
asked  Bess. 

"James  did  not  give  me  an  opportunity  to  see 
him,  but  hurried  him  off  to  make  his  own  'gorde- 
ous'  toilet.  We  shall  have  to  wait  now  until  you 
are  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis." 

"Oh!"  came  from  Bess'  lips  in  a  startled 
breath,  as  again  she  felt  a  sharp  pain  at  her 
heart. 

James  had  been  instructed  that  exactly  at 
twelve  o'clock  he,  with  Mr.  Davis,  should  pro- 
ceed to  the  tree  and  wait  for  Bess  and  her 
bridesmaid  there  at  the  rock.  Mrs.  West  had 
watched  until  the  last  moment  for  her  son's  re- 
turn, but  he  had  not  come,  although  one  of  the 

237 


THE   BRAND 


cowboys  said  he  thought  he  had  seen  hiin  early 
in  the  morning.  She  decided  it  must  have  been 
one  of  the  other  men  passing  through  the  yards. 

Bess  heard  the  stroke  of  twelve,  then  she  lis- 
tened until  the  two  men  had  passed  down  the 
steps.  Mrs.  West,  dressed  in  soft  white,  met  the 
two  young  women  as  they  reached  the  foot  of  the 
stairs. 

Berenice  wore  a  pale  pink  gown  and  carried 
a  bunch  of  autumn  leaves  and  flowers.  The  sim- 
ple dress  which  Bess  wore  made  her  look  more 
girlish  than  ever.  About  her  soft,  brown  hair 
was  entwined  the  waxen  leaves  of  the  kinnik- 
inick  with  its  scarlet  drops,  while  long,  tendril 
branches  of  the  same  were  fastened  from  her 
shoulder  to  her  waist.  Somehow  it  seemed  more 
fitting  for  an  autumn  bride  than  June  roses,  and 
Bess  had  insisted  upon  wearing  the  kinnikinick 
in  preference  to  anything  else.  Half  in  earnest, 
she  said  she  wished  she  might  also  wear  her 
"precious"  beaded  belt!  As  she  stopped  a  mo- 
ment before  going  out  of  doors,  Mrs.  West  kissed 
her  tenderly  and  gave  her  hand  a  pressure  of 
love  and  strength,  then  led  the  way  to  where  the 
others,  together  with  Father  Damien,  stood 
waiting. 

"The  birds  are  the  orchestra !  See  that  beau- 
tiful leaf !  Hear  that  saucy  squirrel !"  said  Bess, 
disconnectedly,  as  she  walked  slowly  forward, 
clinging  to  her  friend's  arm. 

Berenice's  attention  was  fixed  in  wonderment 
upon  several  Indians  with  squaws  standing 

238 


A   WEDDING  DAY 


about  among  the  trees.  They  had  heard  of  the 
agent's  prospective  marriage  and  decided  to  at- 
tend, in  hopes  of  receiving  some  of  the  "muck-a- 
muck" and  participating  in  the  "big  eat." 

As  Bess  lifted  her  eyes  to  Dave  Davis'  face 
when  she  took  his  extended  hand  and  was  assist- 
ed upon  the  broad  surface  of  the  rock,  she  won- 
dered at  the  deep  love  it  revealed. 

"It  has  been  so  very  long,  dear,"  he  whis- 
pered, as  his  lips  brushed  her  hair. 

The  priest  had  opened  his  prayer  book,  and, 
waiting  an  instant  for  the  pair  to  face  about,  be- 
gan :  "In  nomine  patris,  et  filii,  et — " 

A  smothered  cry  came  from  Bess'  lips  the 
next  moment,  as  she  looked  at  the  face  of  Beren- 
ice Morton.  The  visitor  was  still  clinging  to  the 
hand  James  had  given  her  to  lead  her  to  her 
position  near  Bess.  Great  veins  throbbed  at  her 
temples,  her  mouth  was  opened  wide,  while  hor- 
ror-stricken eyes  stared  directly  at  Dave  Davis. 
Mrs.  West  sprang  quickly  to  the  girl's  side  and 
assisted  James  in  supporting  her  quavering 
form. 

"Go  on !"  commanded  Davis  to  the  disturbed 
priest,  with  asperity. 

"Wait!"  came  the  countermand  from  a  reso- 
lute voice  by  his  side. 

With  supreme  effort  Berenice  Morton 
straightened  to  her  full  height,  flung  her  arm, 
with  wide  extended  fingers,  directly  at  the  scar- 
let, angry  face  of  Dave  Davis.  For  a  single 

239 


THE   BRAND 


brief  instant  there  was  an  awful  silence.  All 
seemed  suddenly  turned  into  insensible  stone! 

"You — Dayton  Davies!  My  own  sister's  be- 
trayer!" came  in  a  shriek. 

Suddenly  an  ashen  grey  spread  over  the  ac- 
cused man's  countenance,  while  Bess  Fletcher, 
as  the  dreadful  denouement  forced  itself  into 
her  soul,  reeled  back  against  the  tree. 

As  she  clutched  at  her  heart  the  scarlet  ber- 
ries of  the  kinnikinick  squeezed  through  her 
fingers,  like  huge  drops  of  bright  blood.  Her 
face  was  as  white  as  her  gown;  her  lips  were 
rigid  and  pale.  She  saw,  with  impassive  con- 
cern, Berenice's  fainting  form  supported  by 
James  and  Mrs.  West,  placed  upon  the  carpet 
of  pine  needles.  It  had  been  scarcely  a  moment 
since  the  terrible  words  had  stunned  them  all, 
and  yet  it  seemed  hours. 

"A  mistake,  Father  Damien,  continue!"  said 
Davis,  with  a  voice  hoarse  with  anger. 

Bess  raised  her  hand  with  a  forbidding  ges- 
ture, and  the  priest,  seeing  the  look  of  determin- 
ation upon  the  girl's  face,  needed  no  words  to 
tell  him  that  his  services  were  not  needed. 

He  softly  closed  his  book  and  moved  silently 
away. 

Dave  Davis  stepped  doggedly  from  the  rock 
and  turned  with  parted  lips. 

"Go — go  now !"  cried  Bess.  "Atone,  if  you 
can,  for  that  other  woman's  living  death!  Re- 
store, if  you  can,  her  loved  ones'  broken  hearts ! 

240 


A  WEDDING  DAY 


Recall  from  that  grave  out  yonder  the  victim  of 
your  perfidy!  Smile,  too — if  you  will,  at  how 
nearly — "  but  her  throat  closed  convulsively. 

As  soon  as  he  had  placed  Berenice  Morton 
on  the  ground,  with  Mrs.  West  administering  to 
her,  James  rose  to  come  to  his  sister's  aid.  He 
was  held  spellbound  by  her  tragic  attitude,  until 
the  storm  of  censure  which  she  hurled  at  the 
passive  man  had  spent  its  fury.  Springing  to 
the  rock  he  placed  a  protecting  arm  about  his 
sister.  In  a  flash  he  had  divined  the  reason  of 
Henry  West's  bitter  enmity,  and  wondered  how 
he  had  refrained  from  shooting  the  betrayer  of 
girls. 

Dave  Davis  tried  in  vain  again  to  speak,  but 
at  the  first  words  he  uttered  he  was  silenced  by 
James  saying  hotly: 

"You  better  go  quickly — before  I — before 
Henry  West  returns — or  take  the  consequences !" 

"Tell  that  Indian  for  me,  please,"  Davis 
sneered,  as  he  turned  to  leave,  "that  this  is  his 
doing ;  that  the  score  shall  not  remain  unsettled 
-long!" 

Without  even  glancing  again  at  Bess,  he 
strode  forward  and  motioned  to  one  of  the  per- 
plexed Indians,  who,  after  a  few  brief  instruc- 
tions, hastened  toward  the  stables. 

Bess  aided  Mrs.  West  and  James  in  resusci- 
tating the  unconscious  girl,  and  by  the  time  she 
could  walk  and  was  removed  to  the  house,  all 
sign  of  Dave  Davis  had  vanished. 

241 


THE   BRAND 


Leaving  James  with  her  friend,  Bess  hurried 
up  to  her  room,  where  no  one  might  witness  her 
uncontrollable  passion.  Not  a  tear  came  to 
moisten  her  burning  eyes,  not  a  sob  to  stifle  the 
pounding  blood  at  her  temples.  For  several  mo- 
ments she  paced  rapidly  back  and  forth,  her 
hands  shut  tight,  her  nostrils  wide  with  heavy 
breathing;  then,  falling  upon  her  knees  beside 
the  bed,  she  buried  her  face  in  her  arms. 

Mrs.  West  cautiously  opened  the  door  and 
was  about  to  enter  to  comfort  the  girl,  when  she 
paused  as  the  words  of  a  prayer  faintly  reached 
her :  "Oh !  My  God,  I  thank  Thee  for  preserving 
me  this  day  from  danger  worse  than  death! 
Grant  peace  to  those  tender  souls  who  guarded 
me  from  a  fate  like  their  own.  Keep  me  always 
near  Thee;  help  me  to  solace  those  who  suffer." 
She  did  not  enter  the  room,  for  she  knew  the 
Great  Comforter  was  there  before  her. 

It  was  fully  an  hour  when  those  in  the  living- 
room  heard  Bess  descending  the  stairs.  James 
hurried  anxiously  forward  as  she  entered  the 
room  dressed  for  riding. 

"There — James,  please  do  not  look  so.  See! 
I — even  I — am  smiling!  I  do  not  need  sympa- 
thy— I  want  congratulations.  Think  how  much 
worse  it  might  have  been !  Will  you  get  Mau- 
chacho  for  me,  please?  Do  you  mind,  Bee,  if  I 
go  for  a  ride?  Please,  little  Mother,  do  not  grow 
anxious,  for  I  shall  not  return  until  I  am  feeling 
— feeling  rested.  No,  I  am  not  hungry — I  could 
not  eat,"  she  added,  in  response  to  Mrs.  West's 

242 


A  WEDDING  DAT 


request  that  she  first  partake  of  luncheon.  Press- 
ing her  lips  to  the  still  pallid  brow  on  the  pillow, 
and  holding  Mrs.  West  in  her  arms  as  she  kissed 
her,  she  hastened  out  of  the  house.  Presently 
James  brought  her  horse  and  watched  her  silent- 
ly as  she  rode  out  of  sight  toward  the  north,  and 
as  he  turned  with  a  sigh  to  re-enter  the  house  he 
thought :  "I  wish  I  had  as  much  of  the  Fletcher 
grit  as  she  has." 


243 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

"i — AM — BUT — AN — INDIAN" 

Mauchacho  was  permitted  to  choose  his  own 
trail  and  pace.  His  rider  did  not  notice  when  he 
stopped  to  nibble  at  some  tempting  grass,  or 
stretched  his  neck  for  a  few  remaining  green 
leaves. 

A  loud  neigh  startled  the  girl  from  her  leth- 
argy, and  she  discovered  a  saddled  horse  stand- 
ing near  the  entrance  to  her  "den."  At  first  she 
felt  a  slight  alarm,  then  saw  that  it  was  one  of 
the  ranch  horses.  Dismounting,  and  leaving  her 
horse  with  trailing  reins,  she  hurried  to  learn 
the  cause  of  the  empty  saddle.  A  cry  escaped 
her,  as  directly  at  the  opening  of  the  tiny  cavern 
she  came  face  to  face  with  Henry  West. 

At  first  she  scarcely  believed  it  was  he,  so 
changed  did  he  seem.  His  straight,  black  hair 
was  in  matted  disorder;  great  seams  lined  his 
brow  and  chin;  the  erstwhile  white  silken  shirt 
lay  torn  back  from  his  throat,  soiled  and  be- 
grimed; his  sombrero,  twisted  into  a  shapeless 
mass,  was  clutched  in  his  hands,  while  the  great, 
black,  shaggy  "chapps"  made  him  seem  like  some 
formidable  creature. 

He  stared  at  Bess  benumbed  and  uncompre- 
hending. Why  was  she  here?  Why  had  she  not 
gone  with  him  whom  she  had  wedded?  Was  it  a 

244 


"I— AM— BUT— AN— INDIAN" 

ghost  come  to  bring  still  greater  agony?  Slowly 
stretching  forth  his  hand,  fearful  lest  the  appar- 
ition should  vanish,  he  felt  it  grasped  eagerly  by 
one  pulsating  with  warm,  pulsing  life.  She  lift- 
ed her  eyes  to  his  with  an  assuring  gaze  as  she 
spoke : 

"It  is  really  I— Bess  Fletcher!  I  have  been 
saved  from  ignominy  by  Grace  Morton's  living 
death — by  the  broken  heart  of  Helen  West." 

"You  knew!"  gasped  Henry  West,  stepping 
back  abruptly. 

"How  could  I  have  known?  Fate,  at  an  al- 
most fatal  moment,  disclosed  the  perfidy  which 
you  had  so  cowardly  concealed." 

"Yes,  a  coward — a  damned  coward,  who 
could  not  tell  of  his  only  sister's  dishonor  to  save 
you — even  you,  from  a  life  of  misery!  Since 
early  dawn  have  I  fought  here  for  the  courage 
to  go  to  you,  to  tell  you,  but  I  dared  not ;  had  I 
seen  that — that  dog  again,  he  would  have  been 
killed,"  came  in  a  frenzied  outburst,  as  Henry 
clasped  his  hand  over  his  holster.  "This  same 
bullet  has  been  waiting — for  nearly  two  years," 
he  said,  as  he  withdrew  the  gun  and  held  it  in 
his  palm. 

Bess  reached  out  her  hand.  Taking  the 
treacherous  weapon  and  emptying  the  chambers, 
she  gave  it  back  to  West.  "There,  Henry,  you 
will  not  need  it  now ;  he  has  gone." 

"Gone!  Yes,  I  was  told  yesterday  that  his 
resignation  was  not  voluntary;  another  man  is 
already  at  the  agency  to  fill  the  position." 

245 


THE   BRAND 


"Where  are  you  going  alone?"  asked  Henry 
West,  as  the  girl  remounted  and  turned  Mau- 
chacho's  head  toward  the  rugged  north  shore  of 
the  lake. 

"Where  my  horse  may  take  me.  Your  mother 
is  looking  for  you  at  home,"  answered  Miss 
Fletcher,  in  a  hard  voice,  as  she  bent  her  head 
beneath  the  branches  of  a  small  pine  and  rode 
away. 

West  stood  watching  her  as  she  now  and 
again  came  into  view  from  behind  a  clump  of 
bushes  or  around  some  jagged  rocks,  trying  to 
clear  the  mist  from  his  brain  and  eyes,  and  as- 
suring himself  that  she  was  not  an  hallucination. 
At  length  he  took  the  reins  from  the  ground  and 
led  his  horse  back  to  the  ranch.  No  one  saw  him 
enter  the  house  nor  go  to  his  room;  and  when 
he  joined  the  others  late  in  the  afternoon  no  one 
dreamed  that  the  tall,  dark  man,  so  immacu- 
lately dressed,  so  calm  and  quiet,  had  a  moment 
of  anguish. 

James  was  seated  near  the  couch  when  Henry 
West  entered  the  room.  He  arose  quickly,  words 
of  explanation  ready  upon  his  lips,  but  he  was 
silenced  by  a  gently  upraised  hand.  Mrs.  West 
had  also  hastened  to  her  son's  side  with  a  glad 
smile  of  welcome  upon  her  face. 

Placing  his  arm  tenderly  about  her,  West 
said:  "James — I  know.  I  saw  Bess  with  her 
horse  riding — "  and  he  swept  his  hand  toward 
the  northward  as  he  bent  and  kissed  the  soft, 
white  head  against  his  shoulder.  The  mother 

246 


"I— AM—  BUT— AN— INDIAN" 

felt  the  tremor  in  his  voice  and  the  quiver  in  his 
heart,  and  she  knew  then  the  secret  which  his 
soul  could  no  longer  conceal.  This  was  a  trag- 
edy! Her  son,  with  the  blood  of  red-skinned 
warriors  in  his  veins,  loved — loved  hopelessly! 
She  dared  not  lift  her  face  from  the  shelter  of 
his  breast.  Seeing  that  his  mother  was  con- 
cerned, he  led  her  gently  into  her  room.  Here 
she  told  him  the  details  of  the  affair,  and  when 
she  had  finished  he  knew  that  she  was  still  ignor- 
ant of  the  true  cause  of  her  daughter's  death. 

A  great  sigh  of  relief  escaped  him.  He  could 
not  bear  that  the  trusting  mother  should  now, 
after  the  sharp  edge  of  her  grief  had  been  dulled, 
have  her  heart  break  anew. 

"James  was  saying  just  before  you  came, 
Henry,  that  he  should  take  Bess  back  to  New 
York  with  him.  He  thinks  possibly  they  will  be 
ready  to  go  when  Miss  Morton  leaves.  Oh!  it 
seems  as  if  I  cannot — have  her  go,  Henry !  She 
has  grown  into  my  life  so  fully  that  if  she  goes 
away  it  will  be  like  pulling  out  my  heart !" 

"I  think,  mother — I — I  feel  that  it  is  the 
only  thing  for  her  to  do.  I  cannot  persuade 
James  to  remain,  even  as  half  owner  of  the  HW 
ranch  and  stock.  Perhaps  we  may  go  away,  too, 
mother, — away  from  here;  away  from  these 
hills,  these  scenes ;  away  from  the  West  and  our 
people.  Mother— mother !"  he  cried,  "the  sun 
will  no  longer  bring  the  daylight  and  warmth 
when  she  is  gone !" 

For  several  moments  neither  said  a  word,  so 
247 


THE   BRAND 


overwhelmed  was  each  with  hopelessness.  Then 
a  gentle  touch  upon  the  arm  caused  Henry  West 
to  lift  his  face  and  reply  to  the  question  which 
his  mother  scarcely  breathed  loud  enough  for 
him  to  hear. 

"Have  I  told  her  of  my  love?"  He  repeated 
her  question.  "I  could  not.  Now  I  am  only  sad 
with  longing;  I  am  not  crushed  with  cruel  cer- 
tainty. I  am — but — an  Indian — insensible  to 
love,  incapable  of  feeling;  unfit  for  any  place; 
disqualified,  alone!  An  Indian!" 

Never  before  had  she  heard  such  bitter  words 
from  her  son.  Tears  filled  her  eyes. 

"Forgive  me,  my  mother!"  came  in  a  voice 
full  of  tenderness  and  love. 

The  sun  had  set,  leaving  a  crimson  glow  on 
the  hills,  which  swiftly  faded  into  the  early 
gloom.  James,  hearing  a  horse,  hurried  to  as- 
sist his  sister,  but  met  instead  a  man  who  had 
brought  a  message  for  Berenice  Morton.  She 
tore  the  envelope  open  hastily  and  read  its  con- 
tents at  a  glance. 

"My  sister  is — dead,"  she  said  in  a  whisper, 
with  a  face  even  more  pale  than  it  had  been  dur- 
ing the  long  afternoon.  "I  must  go  at  once;  my 
father  needs  me.  If  he  had  only  called  me  soon- 
er. No — no,  I  am  glad  he  did  not — for  Bess' 
sake,"  she  added  hurriedly. 

Just  then  Bess  came,  filling  the  room  with 
the  perfume  of  fresh  air.  Her  face  was  still  pale 
and  drawn,  although  she  tried  to  assume  an  air 
of  serenity.  She  was  immediately  apprised  of 

248 


"I— AM— BUT— AN— INDIAN" 

the  message,  and  began  at  once  to  plan  for  her 
friend's  hasty  departure. 

Berenice  was  sent  to  bed  to  rest  and  sleep, 
while  the  others  packed  her  trunk  and  made  all 
the  preparations  to  drive  to  Selish  at  midnight. 
Bess  tried  to  persuade  her  brother  to  accompany 
Miss  Morton,  as  she  ought  not  to  go  on  such  a 
long  journey  alone.  "I  will  finish  your  packing 
and  send  your  trunks  later  on,"  she  argued  when 
he  said  he  could  not  leave  so  suddenly. 

"We  planned  this  afternoon  while  you  were 
gone  to  go  all  at  the  same  time,"  said  James. 

"I  do  not  wish  to  go  now,  James.  I  feel — I 
wish  to  stay  here  where  it  is  quiet,  to  rest." 

At  last,  when  Bess  had  consented  to  come 
very  soon,  at  least  as  quickly  as  she  should  feel 
herself  again,  James  decided  to  go  on  to  New 
York  with  Berenice  Morton. 


249 


CHAPTEE  XXVIII 
A  WINTER'S  VIGIL 

Everything  was  ready  for  the  long  drive 
shortly  after  midnight.  As  Bess  stepped  out  of 
doors  and  beheld  the  glorious  moonlight  making 
everything  as  bright  as  gold,  she  wished  she  were 
being  tucked  snugly  into  the  seat  beside  her 
friend,  that  she  might  enjoy  the  drive  over  the 
hard,  smooth  road. 

The  good-byes  had  all  been  said,  but  Bess 
climbed  up  beside  Berenice  Morton  to  give  her 
one  more  farewell  kiss,  then  ran  quickly  into  the 
house.  She  flung  herself  upon  the  couch  and 
burst  into  passionate,  burning  tears,  the  first 
which  had  come  to  release  the  tension  upon  the 
overwrought  nerves. 

Mrs.  West  sat  quietly  beside  her,  soothing 
her,  gently  touching  her  brow  and  hands.  At 
length  the  quiet,  regular  respirations  told  her 
that  Bess  had  fallen  asleep.  She  softly  folded 
a  blanket  about  the  girl;  then,  replenishing  the 
fire  in  the  grate,  sat  down  to  watch  and  wait  un- 
til she  should  awaken.  Once,  when  she  could  not 
hear  a  breath  nor  see  the  slight  movement  of  the 
blanket,  she  hastily  touched  the  unconscious 
form.  The  eyes  opened  for  a  moment,  then,  with 
a  smile  upon  her  lips  Bess  immediately  relapsed 
into  sleep.  All  night  the  woman  watched,  heed- 

250 


A   WINTER'S  VIGIL 


less  of  the  chill  creeping  upon  her,  disregardful 
of  her  own  great  weariness.  The  dawn  crept  in 
at  the  window  and  peered  into  her  white,  care- 
worn face,  pointing  a  warning  finger;  then  lifted 
it  toward  the  mountain-tops  and  behold  'twas 
morning ! 

With  stiffened  limbs  Mrs.  West  arose,  and 
leaving  a  tender  kiss  upon  the  girl's  hand,  turned 
to  leave  the  room.  With  the  flash  of  a  sun-beam 
shining  into  her  eyes,  Bess  sprang  to  her  feet  just 
as  Mrs.  West  reached  the  door. 

"Little  Mother!  Is  it  late?  Why!  I  have 
not  been  in  bed!"  she  exclaimed  with  bewilder- 
ment, as  she  saw  that  she  was  still  dressed. 

"Do  not  hurry,  dear.  I — I  just  came  in  to 
make  a  fire,  and  to — to — see — if — you  were — 
warm,"  came  with  effort,  as  the  woman  held  onto 
the  door  for  support.  Bess  ran  quickly  to  her. 

"Mother — Mother,  what  is  it?  See!  you  are 
cold, — you?  hands,  your  face!  You  have  been 
here  with  me  all  night?  Oh!  why — why?"  cried 
Bess,  half  beside  herself.  She  almost  carried 
Mrs.  West  across  the  hall  into  her  room.  Quick- 
ly she  disrobed  the  shaking  form  and  placed  it 
in  bed.  She  worked  with  all  her  strength,  now 
hurrying  with  hot  water,  now  rubbing  and  chaf- 
ing the  rigid  limbs.  For  hours  she  labored  un- 
ceasingly, but  no  relief  came  to  the  stricken 
woman.  Mrs.  White  had  been  summoned,  and 
together  they  worked,  doing  everything  within 
their  power  and  knowledge  to  relieve  the  suf- 
ferer. 

251 


THE   BRAND 


A  physician  could  not  reach  the  ranch  before 
the  next  day,  and  Bess  feared  that  he  might  then 
be  too  late.  Oh,  if  Henry  had  only  sent  one  of 
the  men  to  make  the  drive  to  Selish  instead  of  in- 
sisting upon  going  himself,  she  thought,  as  she 
went  to  the  door  at  frequent  intervals  to  see  if  he 
were  coming. 

When  he  came  and  saw  how  ill  his  mother 
was,  dire  forebodings  filled  his  mind.  She  did 
not  know  him  as  he  sat  by  her  side  and  spoke  her 
name,  but  kept  calling  "Helen."  Bess  would  re- 
spond to  the  call  and  at  once  the  woman  would 
be  pacified. 

For  days  Henry  West  and  Bess  attended  the 
sick  woman,  relieving  each  other,  that  a  few 
hours'  sleep  might  be  snatched.  Once  when  she 
called  her  son's  name  Henry  answered  eagerly, 
"I'm  near,  Mother  dear !  Don't  you  know  me?" 

With  great  effort  she  lifted  her  pale,  wan 
hand  and  gently  touched  his  cheek  with  her  fin- 
gers. Tears  of  joy  that  she  knew  him  rushed  to 
his  eyes,  but  in  a  moment  more  she  was  again 
calling  hopelessly  for  her  son  to  come. 

Pneumonia,  the  physician  had  named  the  ill- 
ness. He  came  often  by  boat  from  Kalispell  and 
remained  for  several  hours  each  time.  Bess 
would  not  permit  her  place  to  be  supplanted  by  a 
nurse  so  long  as  the  physician  approved  of  her 
work.  In  fact,  he  told  Henry  West,  that  no  one 
could  do  better  nor  more  than  Miss  Fletcher. 
Yet,  when  he  saw  that  the  girl  was  growing  thin 
and  pale,  tired  from  the  hard  work  of  nursing, 

252 


A   WINTER'8  VIGIL 


and  worn  because  of  the  mental  strain,  he  tried 
to  force  her  to  desist  lest  she  should  become  ill. 
With  a  look  of  entreaty  in  her  brown  eyes  and  a 
determined  smile  upon  her  firm  lips  she  said  that 
no  one  could  attend  a  Mother  like  a  daughter. 

When  the  first  snow  came  late  one  November 
day,  filling  all  the  land  with  purity,  crowning 
every  rock  with  softness,  clothing  each  out- 
stretched limb  on  pine  and  fir  with  a  garment  of 
whitest  down,  there  also  came  a  change  in  the 
sick-room.  Mrs.  West  had  lain  in  a  profound 
slumber  for  several  hours,  and  when  she  awoke 
her  mind  was  cleared  of  the  mist.  She  was  too 
weak  to  move  and  very  faintly  came  the  words, 
"Henry — Bess,"  as  her  eyes  moved  to  the  two 
silent  watchers  on  either  side  of  the  bed.  Oh,  the 
joyous  looks  of  understanding  which  these  two 
exchanged,  to  know  that  after  all,  their  care  and 
watching  and  waiting  had  been  rewarded ! 

Weeks  followed.  Mrs.  West  was  propped  up 
against  her  pillow  for  a  short  time  on  Christmas 
day,  when  the  Yuletide  was  marked  with  decora- 
tions of  beautiful  Oregon  grape  and  long  sprays 
of  kinnikinick  which  Bess  had  dug  from  beneath 
the  snow  and  placed  artistically  in  the  sick-room. 
Bess  sang,  at  her  request,  one  of  her  beautiful 
songs.  Tokens  of  remembrance  came  from  James 
and  Berenice  Morton,  which  filled  the  girl  with 
sadness  and  loneliness.  Toward  evening,  as  she 
went  out  to  refresh  herself  with  a  short  ride,  she 
discovered  a  beautiful,  new  saddle  and  bridle 
upon  her  horse. 

253 


THE   BRAND 


When  at  last  the  long,  anxious  winter  gave 
place  to  promising  springtime,  Mrs.  West  slowly 
convalesced  from  her  tedious  illness.  May  came 
with  calling  birds,  the  tender  greens,  the  soft  air 
at  noon-day,  bringing  strength  to  her  each  day. 
Bess,  too,  was  growing  rosy  cheeked  and  strong 
from  her  long  rides  in  the  fresh,  pure  air.  She 
seemed  to  be  as  happy  and  vivacious  as  when  she 
had  come  to  HW  Eanch  a  year  before.  The  or- 
deal of  Mrs.  West's  illness  had  crowded  out  her 
own  painful  experience  and  had  made  her  sweet- 
er, stronger,  better  than  she  ever  had  been  before. 
When  bitter  moments  of  remembrance  occurred 
to  her  she  fought  out  her  misery  alone,  and  no 
other  eyes  ever  saw  her  pain  or  knew  that  the 
sting  was  not  wholly  gone.  Once  James  had 
written  her  that  he  had  seen  Dave  Davis — or 
rather  Dayton  Davies — in  New  York;  that  at 
first  he  had  not  recognized  him  so  changed  and 
dissolute  was  his  appearance. 

Now  that  Mrs.  West  was  fully  recovered,  Bess 
had  written  to  her  brother  that  she  would  soon 
rejoin  him  in  New  York.  She  had  wished  first  to 
spend  a  few  days  in  witnessing  the  round-up  of 
horses  in  June.  Bess  had  been  anxious  to  attend 
one  of  the  round-ups,  and  now  she  decided  to 
avail  herself  of  the  opportunity  of  witnessing 
some  of  the  marvelous  exhibitions  of  which  she 
had  heard  so  much. 


254 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

THE  BRAND  HIV 

Henry  West  had  been  gone  upon  the  round-up 
for  a  week  before  Bess  Fletcher  and  Mrs.  White 
started.  The  plan  was  for  them  to  ride  to  the 
west  shore  of  the  Big  Arm  of  the  lake  upon  the 
appointed  day,  where  Henry  West  would  meet 
them  and  accompany  them  to  the  camp.  The 
two  women  were  ready  for  the  long  ride  early  in 
the  morning,  and  as  they  proceeded  along  the 
road  they  chatted  and  laughed  like  happy,  care- 
less children. 

As  they  neared  the  vicinity  where  Bess  had 
spent  the  happy,  pleasant  days  in  camp  the  au- 
tumn before,  she  felt  conflicting  emotions  of 
pleasure  and  pain.  Swerving  from  the  road  she 
led  the  way  along  the  path  to  the  deserted  camp 
ground.  The  winter  had  not  destroyed  every  tok- 
en, for  there  were  still  the  stakes  where  rested 
the  dining- table ;  the  five,  large  cotton  woods  still 
bore  evidences  of  convenient  shelves  and  towel 
racks,  of  gun  supports  and  where  the  hammock 
had  been  fastened.  A  faded  ribbon  which  lay 
partly  concealed  by  fallen  leaves  was  lifted  ten- 
derly by  Bess,  as  it  recalled  to  her  the  dear  lit- 
tle girl  who  had  worn  it.  Mrs.  White,  one  of  the 
group,  heard  her  give  a  sigh  as  she  placed  the  rib- 

255 


THE   BRAND 


bon  in  her  bosom  and  hurried  Mauchacho  out 
onto  the  main  road  again. 

In  the  distance  Bess  could  discern  Henry 
West  awaiting  their  coming.  When  they  reached 
him  he  made  them  dismount  and  rest,  as  Mrs. 
White,  who  was  not  accustomed  to  such  long 
rides,  was  plainly  becoming  fatigued.  They  en- 
joyed their  lunch,  and  after  becoming  completely 
refreshed  proceeded  to  the  camp  which  Henry 
told  them  was  at  the  extreme  end  of  the  Big 
Draw. 

What  a  marvelous  and  strange  place  the  Big 
Draw  seemed  to  Bess !  A  perfectly  level  stretch 
of  nine  miles  which  looked  like  only  one;  high, 
sloping  hills  lined  both  sides,  which  made  it  seem 
like  some  mighty  river-bed  run  dry.  No  cattle 
were  grazing  upon  the  succulent  grass,  because, 
as  Bess  learned  from  Henry  West,  it  was  too  far 
for  them  to  go  to  water.  He  pointed  out  to  them, 
up  in  a  gulch  to  the  left  of  the  draw,  a  deserted 
cabin,  near  which  trickled  a  tiny  spring.  Bess 
wished  a  drink,  but  when  he  told  them  the  place 
was  called  Kattlesnake  Gulch  and  that  the 
Frenchman  and  his  squaw  had  been  forced  to 
leave  the  place  because  of  the  venomous  in- 
trusions, she  hastily  recovered  from  her  thirst 
and  hurried  on. 

At  last  the  glow  of  the  camp-fires  was  seen; 
the  numerous  tents  gave  assurance  of  a  good 
night's  rest,  while  the  delicious  aroma  of  coffee 
told  the  weary  visitors  that  supper  was  ready. 

Bess  and  Mrs.  White  were  greeted  and  made 
256 


THE  BRAND   HW 


welcome  by  the  several  other  women  in  camp. 
Seeing  that  the  little  woman  was  almost  ready 
to  drop,  Bess  asked  if  she  might  remove  her  to 
their  tent.  Here  she  was  made  comfortable  and 
was  soon  enjoying  the  tea  and  toast  which  one  of 
the  women  brought  to  her. 

During  the  night  the  new,  strange  noises,  as 
well  as  the  brilliant  moonlight  made  sleep  im- 
possible to  Bess.  She  crept  quietly  out  of  bed 
and  wrapping  a  huge  blanket  around  her, 
stepped  out  before  the  tent.  How  wondrous 
was  the  night!  In  the  distant  moon-light  she 
could  see  the  wranglers  who  were  guarding  the 
restless  herd  of  horses,  riding  slowly  back  and 
forth.  She  heard  a  boyish  voice  singing  softly 
as  he  rode  about  the  cavie.  Just  now  she  discov- 
ered quite  near  the  tent,  a  man  rolled  in  a  blan- 
ket and  asleep  upon  the  ground,  his  head  resting 
upon  a  saddle.  With  a  startled  movement  she 
turned  to  re-enter  her  shelter,  when  a  deep,  low 
voice  said,  "Do  not  be  afraid  Bess.  I  am  sleeping 
here  that  you — that  the  ladies  may  feel  secure." 
It  was  Henry  West. 

The  grey  dawn  came  creeping  up  through  the 
long  draw  and  peered  into  Bess'  tent  before  she 
could  close  her  eyes  and  lose  herself  in  sleep. 
When  the  first  pale  ray  of  morning  broke,  she 
saw  the  man  who  had  kept  vigil  during  the  night, 
arise  hastily  from  his  impromptu  bed  and  hurry 
away.  She  then  fell  asleep,  dreaming  of  flight 
before  the  mad  rush  of  wild  horses,  and  again 
seemed  to  feel  an  iron  hold  grasping  her  arm  and 

257 


THE   BRAND 


lifting  her  high  out  of  danger's  path.  With  a  be- 
wildered start  she  awoke  to  discover  that  Mrs. 
White  was  clasping  her  arm  and  shaking  her  vig- 
orously. 

"Hurry  and  get  up !  WThat  in  the  world  were 
you  dreaming  of?  I  could  scarcely  arouse  you! 
See,  breakfast  is  over  and  the  men  have  all  gone 
after  the  horses.  If  you  expect  to  see  the  brand- 
ing you  will  have  to  hurry,"  said  Mrs.  White,  as 
her  busy  fingers  assisted  Bess  in  making  her 
hasty  toilet. 

At  several  different  points  she  could  see  the 
smoke  arising  from  the  branding  fires  and  the 
men  riding  unceasingly  to  cut  out  the  victims  of 
the  red-hot  irons. 

The  women  had  started  out  to  watch  the  per- 
formance, when  a  great  cry  of  pain  and  the  smell 
of  burning  flesh  reached  Bess.  For  an  instant 
she  stood  frozen  with  horror,  then  without  a 
word  to  her  companions  turned  and  fled  back  to 
her  tent.  Here  she  sat  in  a  huddled  heap  with 
her  fingers  thrust  into  her  ears.  Here  the  other 
women  discovered  her,  but  no  word  of  coaxing 
or  joking  derision  succeeded  in  drawing  her  out 
again  to  watch  the  nauseous  spectacle  of  brand- 
ing. At  noon -time,  when  all  the  others  were  hun- 
gry and  enjoying  the  delicious  roast,  Bess  felt 
sick  at  the  very  mention  of  food.  All  she  wanted 
was  her  horse  so  that  she  might  ride  far  away 
from  all  the  confusion  and  heart-rending  sounds. 

Henry  West  asked  Bess  if  she  would  ride  part 
way  with  one  of  the  women  who  was  returning  to 

258 


THE  BRAND  HW 


her  home  at  Dayton  Creek.  "By  the  time  you  re- 
turn the  branding  will  be  over  for  today,  and 
then  tomorrow  T  will  accompany  you  and  Mrs. 
White  part  of  the  way  home.  I  cannot  tell  you 
how  sorry  I  am  that  you  are  feeling  so  dis- 
turbed/' said  West. 

"I  am  ashamed  of  being  such  a — a  baby,  but 
the  sight  of  pain  or  suffering  always  fills  me  with 
horror.  I  cannot  bear  it,"  answered  Bess,  put- 
ting on  her  gloves  and  sombrero  preparatory  to 
accompanying  the  woman  on  her  long  ride. 

How  glad  she  was  to  leave  the  camp  behind 
and  to  ride  out  into  the  clear,  bright  air!  The 
gentle  slopes  on  either  side  of  the  Big  Draw  were 
soft  with  the  delicate  green  of  the  tamaracks, 
whose  vivid  verdure  was  enhanced  by  the  dark 
branches  of  the  pines  and  fir  trees.  Great  rocks 
of  varied  hues  jutted  forth  in  places  as  if  they 
concealed  the  den  of  some  formidable  mountain 
lion. 

So  impressed  was  Bess  at  the  sublime  gran- 
deur and  beauty  of  the  scene  that  she  was  obliv- 
ious of  her  companion. 

"You  are  enjoying  the  view,  also,  Miss  Fletch- 
er?" asked  the  woman. 

"I  beg  your  pardon  for  being  so  rude.  Some- 
how, words  always  spoil  this  for  me,"  answered 
the  abstracted  girl,  as  she  drew  herself  together 
and  made  a  sweeping  gesture  toward  the  border- 
ing hills  and  distant  mountains.  Presently  they 
neared  the  gulch  with  its  deserted  cabin,  and 
Bess  gave  an  involuntary  shudder  at  the  sight  of 

259 


THE   BRAND 


its  isolated  loneliness.  They  started  their  horses 
into  a  swift  gallop,  and  before  long  came  in  sight 
of  the  great,  high  cliff  near  Dayton  Creek. 

"There,  Miss  Fletcher,  I  think  you  have  come 
far  enough.  Fll  take  the  trail  across  to  the  cliff 
and  will  soon  be  home.  I  fear  you  have  come  too 
far.  A  storm  seems  to  be  coming." 

Bess  scanned  the  sky  and  saw  dark  clouds 
rapidly  rising  from  the  south-west.  A  sharp  flash 
of  lightning,  unusual  for  June  in  the  mountains, 
gave  them  both  warning  to  hurry.  The  one 
turned  her  horse  toward  the  cliff,  while  the  other 
reined  Mauchacho  about  to  re-enter  the  Big 
Draw.  The  swift  beating  of  a  horse's  hoofs  be- 
hind her  made  her  give  a  swift  glance  over  her 
shoulder.  She  caught  a  glimpse  of  some  man, 
probably  one  of  the  round-up  men,  riding  hurried- 
ly in  the  direction  of  the  camp.  She  felt  glad 
that  she  would  not  have  to  go  on  alone,  for  now 
the  warning  flashes  were  growing  more  frequent, 
while  the  wind  was  gradually  increasing.  She 
noticed  the  horse's  speed  slacken,  heard  a  com- 
manding voice  speak  to  the  animal,  then  felt  the 
breath  from  its  nostrils  as  it  reached  her  side. 
She  waited  an  instant  for  the  man  to  speak,  then 
lifted  her  face  abruptly  to  look  at  the  one  so  near 
her,  a  smile  of  salutation  parting  her  lips.  For 
the  flash  of  an  instant  the  smile  lasted,  then  a 
look  of  incredulity  crept  into  her  eyes  and 
stopped  her  heart-beats.  Mauchacho  had  instant- 
ly responded  to  the  tight,  resisting  hand  upon 
the  bridle  and  stood  taut  as  a  cow-horse.  Deep, 

260 


THE  BRAND   HW 


glowing  eyes  held  her  fascinated  so  that  she  could 
scarcely  catch  her  breath !  What  phantom  was 
this,  so  like  yet  so  different  from  the  man  who 
passed  out  of  her  life!  A  face  thin  and  worn, 
with  great,  burning,  piercing  eyes ;  lips  thick  and 
distended  above  a  quivering  chin !  Could  such  a 
transformation  be  wrought? 

With  a  sob  she  recovered  her  senses  as  the 
man  grasped  her  hand  in  his  own.  "Why  are 
you  here?"  she  cried,  trying  in  vain  to  extricate 
her  hand  from  his  loathsome  grasp. 

"Why?  Because — because  I  had  to  see  you 
again,"  replied  the  man  with  a  voice  still  deep 
and  low,  yet  hard.  "Yes — look  at  me — look  well 
at  the  result  of  your  faithlessness!  Do  I  seem 
like  the  Dave  Davis  whom  you  knew  a  year  ago?" 
and  he  clutched  her  hand  with  a  grasp  that  made 
her  cry  out  in  pain. 

A  strange,  loud  laugh  burst  from  him  as  he 
nearly  pulled  her  out  of  her  saddle  toward  him. 

"Release  me,  you — you — " 

"Say  it !  Brute !  God,  yes — a  damned  brute, 
and  all  because  I  loved  you !" 

A  vivid  flash  made  the  already  frightened  girl 
tremble  still  more.  She  begged  the  man  to  allow 
her  to  proceed. 

"You  are  going  over  to  that  cow-camp  where 
that  Indian  is.  I  heard  you  were  there  and  was 
even  willing  to  risk  my  precious  head  for  just 
one  glimpse  of  you.  Come !  If  you  must  go,  I 
shall  go  with  you." 

Bess  knew  that  it  was  useless  to  try  to  escape, 
261 


THE   BRAND 


so  she  hurried  her  horse  on  as  swiftly  as  she 
dared.  The  wind  had  now  risen  to  its  height  and 
was  blowing  a  gale.  The  lightning  brought  a  sin- 
gle drop  of  rain  from  the  great,  fleeing  clouds 
which  hid  the  sky  and  filled  the  land  with  oppres- 
sive, early  darkness.  Great  trees  swayed  against 
each  other  and  loud  crashes  told  of  a  mighty  mon- 
arch which  could  not  resist  the  strength  of  the 
storm. 

"Come,  we  must  seek  shelter  from  these  fall- 
ing trees,"  said  the  man,  whose  worn  face  was 
pale  in  the  fury  of  the  storm. 

Taking  Mauchacho  by  the  bit  he  turned  into 
Kattlesnake  Gulch  and  hastened  toward  the  old 
cabin. 

"Stop!  I  am  not  afraid  of  the  storm.  You 
shall  let  me  go  on — alone,"  cried  the  terrified  girl, 
as  she  pulled  in  vain  at  the  horse's  bridle.  See- 
ing that  her  efforts  were  useless,  she  sprang  from 
the  saddle,  half  falling  to  the  ground.  By  the 
time  she  had  recovered  her  footing,  Davis  had 
also  dismounted  and  had  reached  her  side.  As 
he  did  so  his  horse  gave  an  alarmed  bound  and 
tore  away  at  full  speed.  With  an  oath  at  his  loss 
the  man  turned  to  secure  Mauchacho,  who  was 
standing  with  trailing  reins  and  dejected  head 
near  his  mistress.  Just  then  a  great  tree  snapped 
and  fell  crashing  to  the  ground.  Taking  Bess  by 
the  arm  the  determined  man  carried  her  into  the 
cabin.  How  dark  and  gloomy  was  the  place !  A 
mountain  rat  scurried  out  of  sight  at  the  intru- 
sion. Eeleasing  his  hold  the  man  walked  sullenly 

262 


THE  BRAND   HW 


across  the  room  and  stood  watching  the  fury  of 
the  storm  from  the  open  doorway. 

Bess  half  crouched  against  the  logs  of  the 
wall,  almost  frenzied  with  fear.  The  howling, 
shrieking  wind;  the  crashing  trees,  the  awful 
lightning  without.  Within,  a  danger  greater  and 
more  terrible  than  any  storm  could  be!  Her 
hand,  which  had  clutched  at  her  heart,  fell  slowly 
by  her  side.  What  was  that  her  fingers  touched 
that  instantly  filled  her  heart  with  hope  and  sent 
the  blood  throbbing  through  the  congealed  veins ! 
She  closed  her  hand  firmly  over  the  handle  of  her 
Smith  and  Wesson,  the  gun  which  had  so  long 
lain  in  its  hidden  pocket  all  unneeded.  But  now, 
now — !  Could  it  be  that  even  the  shadow  of  love 
for  this  man  had  ever  possessed  her?  Had  she 
not  long  ago  seen  and  felt  the  latent  repulsion? 
Was  this  transformation  made  by  just  retribu- 
tion or  an  avenging  God?  A  feeling  almost  of 
pity  swept  over  her  at  the  horrible  change  which 
she  beheld  in  the  man.  Tears  of  sadness  at  the 
sight  of  the  wreck  filled  her  eyes  and  made  her 
lips  tremble.  The  man  slowly  turned  and  looked 
at  Bess  before  she  realized  that  he  had  stirred,  so 
deeply  was  she  engrossed. 

"Ah — little  girl,  you  are  sorry  for  me ;  you  do 
still  care  for  me;  I  see  it — I  feel  it,  know  it," 
came  in  a  voice  at  first  soft  and  caressing  in  its 
tenderness,  then  swelling  with  a  crescendo  of 
hope  till  it  fairly  shouted  in  its  intensity. 

He  made  a  swift,  decisive  step  toward  her,  but 
was  checked  as  suddenly  by  her  firm,  hard  out- 

263 


THE   BRAND 


burst.  "Stop — do  not  come  one  step  nearer! 
You  once  saw  me  kill  a  rattlesnake !  I  can — do — 
it  again !"  Her  teeth  shut  hard  and  her  wondrous 
eyes  narrowed  to  tiny  slits,  as  Avith  a  steady,  de- 
termined movement  she  drew  the  pistol  from  its 
pocket  and  rested  her  hand  deliberately  across 
her  left  arm.  So  she  stood,  fearlessly,  confident- 
ly. No  words  were  needed  for  the  man  to  know 
how  utterly  lost  was  his  recrudescent  hope. 

"Bess  Fletcher,  I  am  not  unarmed/'  he  said 
threateningly.  "I — could — kill  you !"  Not  even 
her  eyelash  quivered  as  her  steady  gaze  held  his 
own.  A  faint,  scornful  smile  played  for  an  in- 
stant upon  her  lips.  Nor  yet  did  she  move  when 
she  heard  from  out  the  storm  Mauchacho's  loud 
neigh  in  response  to  another  horse's  call.  Davis 
suddenly  turned  to  the  window  and  his  face  grew 
dark.  "West !"  he  cried  hoarsely,  and  wrenched 
the  door  open,  attempting  to  escape  under  cover 
of  the  small  firs.  He  was  too  late.  In  the  dim 
light  of  the  swiftly  abating  storm  Bess  saw  a 
wide,  swaying  rope  suddenly  descend  and  curl 
its  quivering  folds  securely  about  the  fugitive's 
body,  pinioning  him  within  its  tightening  hold. 

West  leaped  from  his  horse.  Without  a  word 
he  secured  the  lariat  about  his  captive.  Bess 
came  hurrying  to  him,  her  pistol  still  in  her 
hand. 

He  caught  sight  of  the  weapon. 

"I  came  too  soon,"  he  said.  "You  would  have 
used  my  gift." 

"Oh — Henry — you  came  just  in  time,"  sobbed 
264 


THE  BRAND   HW 


the  girl.  "What  are  you  going  to  do,"  she  de- 
manded as  West  told  her  to  get  on  her  horse,  at 
the  same  time  lifting  the  helpless  man  with  super- 
human strength  and  thrusting  him  into  his  own 
saddle. 

The  new-comer  grasped  his  horse  by  the  bridle 
and  started  with  long,  rapid  strides  down  the 
gulch,  followed  by  Mauchacho  and  his  helpless 
rider.  The  strain  of  the  past  hour  had  completely 
unnerved  the  girl,  who  with  difficulty  held  her 
seat  in  the  saddle.  On  walked  the  determined 
man  leading  the  way.  On  rode  the  captive  in 
dogged  silence,  while  Bess  followed  scarcely 
knowing  whither  nor  why. 

The  storm  with  all  its  fury  and  havoc  had 
passed.  Faint  flashes  beyond  the  distant  moun- 
tains showed  where  its  wrath  was  weakening. 
Twilight,  soft  and  mystical  was  settling  on  the 
hills  and  weirdly  filling  the  expanse  of  the  Big 
Draw.  Like  the  gleam  of  a  great  evil  eye  shone 
in  the  distance  the  fire  of  the  branders,  which  the 
wind  had  fanned  into  glowing  coals.  As  they 
neared  this  spot  Davis  spoke  for  the  first  time. 

"What  are  you  going  to  do  with  me?" 

Bess  waited  with  bated  breath  for  West's 

reply.    For  a  full  moment  he  walked  on  as  if  he 

had  not  heard.    Then  he  said  undecisively,  "The 

boys  in  camp  shall  decide." 

"Look  hpre,  West,  this  a  damned  mean  way  to 

treat  any  man.    I  demand  that  you  release  me — 

you  cowardly  Indian!" 

265 


THE   BRAND 


The  Indian  walked  taciturnly  on,  swiftly, 
steadily.  As  he  neared  the  glowing  fire,  its  ruddy 
light  painted  his  face  as  red  as  a  warrior's.  Sev- 
eral of  the  irons  were  still  sticking  in  the  fire 
where  the  boys  had  forgotten  them  as  they  hast- 
ened from  the  storm.  Mauchacho  shied  when  he 
passed  the  fire  with  its  irons,  as  if  the  sting  of 
their  torture  was  still  fresh  in  his  mind. 

"Say  West — this  has  gone  far  enough.  Be- 
sides— I — Miss  Fletcher  accompanied  me  into 
that  cabin — because  she  wished  to — freely — " 

But  before  he  could  utter  another  single  word 
of  the  cowardly  lie,  West  sprang  at  him  and 
dragged  him  from  the  horse.  Grasping  the  rope 
firmly  he  drew  the  resisting  man  directly  toward 
the  fire  and  flung  him  mercilessly  to  the  ground. 
With  one  hand  he  snatched  a  red-hot  iron  from 
the  fire;  with  the  other  he  tore  open  the  man's 
shirt  and  despite  the  restraining  hold  of  a 
woman's  hand  upon  his  arm  he  seared  the  bared 
breast  with  the  scorching  brand! 

"You  dog,"  he  roared,  "read  that  burning 
brand !  Know  that  HW  means  Honor  Women ! 
Honor !  Learn  if  you  can  what  it  means !  When 
again  you  try  to  destroy  a  woman's  life — let  your 
fingers  seek  this  everlasting  seal;  and  for  God's 
sake,  if  not  your  own  and  her's,  let  the  purport  of 
the  brand  restrain  you !" 

Without  another  word  he  loosened  the  man, 
placed  him  again  in  the  saddle  and  turned  the 
horse's  head  toward  the  east  where  already  a 
great,  round  moon  lighted  the  way.  West  gave 

266 


THE  BRAND   HW 


the  horse  a  cut  with  the  quirt  and  soon  horse  and 
man  were  out  of  sight. 

In  an  unconscious  heap  upon  the  ground  lay 
Bess,  where  she  had  fallen  as  the  smoke  from  the 
burning  flesh  filled  her  nostrils. 

West  stood  gazing  down  at  the  white  face  and 
pulseless  temples.  His  own  heart  had  scarcely 
resumed  its  beating  and  was  still  pounding  with 
choking  throbs  in  his  throat.  All  the  love  of  his 
heart  increased  a  thousand-fold,  all  the  hopeless- 
ness of  his  love  grew  even  more  hopeless  as  the 
savagery  of  his  recent  work  forced  itself  into  his 
soul.  With  a  cry  of  despair  he  knelt  and  lifted 
the  limp  form  within  his  arms. 

"Oh,  if.  you  were  only  dead !  If  I  too  might 
die  now  with  you  so  near  me!  You  are  dead- — 
dead  to  me — I  know!  Good-bye!"  he  said  as  he 
tenderly  imprinted  a  kiss  upon  the  silent  lips. 

Slowly  her  large,  brown  eyes  opened  and 
gazed  understandingly  into  the  face  so  near 
her  own.  Then  a  look  of  horror  crept  into  them, 
and  with  a  gasp  she  regained  her  senses.  Thrust- 
ing out  her  hands,  she  repulsed  the  solicitous 
man. 

"You — Indian/'  she  cried,  with  abhorrence. 
WTith  difficulty  she  arose  and  mounted  her  horse. 
West  did  not  move  nor  offer  her  the  slightest  as- 
sistance as  he  watched  her  ride  away  toward 
camp. 

Long  he  stood,  silent  and  immovable,  gazing 
into  the  moon  upon  whose  face  he  seemed  to  see 
in  scarlet  letters,  The  Brand. 

267 


CHAPTER  XXX 

"WHEN  YOU  CAN  FORGET" 

It  was  nearly  a  month  before  Bess  Fletcher 
fully  recovered  from  the  shock  she  had  experi- 
enced. She  was  now  ready  to  go  to  New  York  to 
rejoin  her  brother.  Whenever  she  thought  of 
leaving  the  ranch,  of  going  away  from  Mrs.  West, 
giving  up  her  horse,  of  tearing  herself  away  from 
the  wonderful  mountains,  the  lake  and  all  its  be- 
loved haunts,  it  seemed  as  if  she  could  not  go. 
Her  bitterness  toward  Henry  West  had  grown 
less  as  she  analyzed  his  motive,  and  from  his 
mother  learned  what  had  really  prompted  him  in 
his  impulsive  act.  She  had  not  seen  him  during 
the  weeks  which  followed  the  tragedy,  but  now 
that  she  was  leaving  she  felt  that  she  must  speak 
to  him  and  say  good-bye. 

She  was  waiting  for  him  in  the  living-room. 
Seating  herself  at  the  piano  her  fingers  uncon- 
sciously sought  the  strain  of  Mon  Desir.  and  in 
a  soft,  tender  voice  she  sang. 

The  dark,  silent  man  entered  unnoticed  and 
stood  in  the  center  of  the  room,  his  hands 
clenched,  his  eyes  half  closed,  listening.  When 
she  finished  she  brushed  away  her  unbidden  tears 
and  turned  to  discover  her  listener.  Rising 
abruptly  she  walked  to  him  extending  her  hand. 
"I  am  sorry — for — for — Can  you  forgive  me  for 

268 


"WHEN  YOU  CAN  FORGET" 

wounding  you  so  deeply?  I  did  not  understand 
then ;  now  I  do." 

"Never  mind  little — Bess.  I  richly  deserve  it 
all.  Let's  not  say  any  more  about  it."  Then  he 
added,  "If  you  prefer  to  ride  Mauchacho  to  Selish 
I  will  accompany  you.  Your  trunks  can  go  on 
the  stage.  It  will  be  our  last — ride — together, 
you  know." 

"Yes — yes — one  more  ride!  But  we  must 
start  within  an  hour.  I'll  go  and  dress,"  an- 
swered the  girl,  and  she  hurried  to  her  room. 

It  seemed  when  Bess  bade  Mrs.  West  good- 
bye that  both  their  hearts  were  being  wrung 
asunder.  Twice,  thrice  the  girl  re-entered  the 
house  to  kiss  the  little  mother,  to  feel  a  mother's 
embrace  again,  to  know  a  mother's  love  once 
more.  Although  the  little  Mother  stood  at  the 
window,  blinding  tears  hid  the  departing  loved 
ones  long  before  the  turn  in  the  road  was  reached. 

During  the  long  ride  both  were  silent.  Bess 
was  looking  with  all  her  eyes  at  the  familiar 
scenes  along  the  road,  as  if  she  would  impress 
them  indelibly  upon  her  mind  and  heart.  When- 
ever West  did  speak  it  was  to  ask  some  question 
regarding  James,  or  perhaps  to  make  some  sug- 
gestion concerning  her  journey. 

At  last  the  summit  of  the  hill  near  Selish  was 
reached.  Bess  drew  rein  and  turned  in  the  sad- 
dle to  view  again  the  scene  which  had  first  met 
her  gaze  more  than  a  year  ago.  It  still  lay  the 
same,  all  unchanged,  all  inspiring.  She  gave  a 

269 


THE   BRAND 


sigh  as  she  hurried  on  to  overtake  Henry  West, 
nearly  at  the  foot  of  the  hill.  When  every  detail 
of  her  journey  had  been  attended  to  he  came  to 
Bess  to  say  good-bye. 

"Oh,  let  me  go  to  the  top  of  the  hill  and  say 
good-bye  there  to  you — to  Mauchacho — to  the 
West!" 

Beaching  the  summit  they  dismounted.  Bess 
threw  her  arms  about  her  horse's  neck  and  buried 
her  face  against  his  cheek.  What  was  it  she 
heard — what ! 

"Good-bye  —  dear  —  good-bye,  hope  —  life  — 
love !  Oh !  little  one ;  if  you  could  have  only  loved 
me!  Some-day — some-time,  will  you  come  back 
— when  you  can  forget  that  tragedy — when  you 
can  forget — that  I  am  an  Indian?" 

His  voice  swayed  her  soul  as  a  wind  sways  a 
fire.  He  loved  her  and  she  had  not  even  dreamed 
it!  How  could  she  have  been  so  blind?  She  felt 
her  heart  fill  to  bursting  with  a  delicious  joy 
which  had  never  possessed  it  before.  Love  it  was 
— love — she  knew  now!  Lifting  her  face  gently 
to  his,  her  eyes  soft  with  a  new  tenderness  and 
lips  parted  in  wonderment  at  the  fullness,  the 
richness  of  the  new  sense,  she  said,  "When — I — 
can — forget — forget!"  Henry  understood.  He 
bowed  and  turned. 

She  stood  motionless  watching  the  rider  and 
the  empty  saddle  descend  the  hill.  She  stood 
with  the  soft  light  of  the  evening  sky  making  a 
halo  about  her,  and  saw  him  ride  silently  down 

270 


"WHEN  YOU  CAN  FORGET" 

into  the  shadow  of  the  valley.  Was  it  perhaps  to 
him  "the  valley  of  the  shadow,"  for  what  was 
there  left  in  life  for  him  now  except  death? 

Once  he  turned  and  saw  the  girl  still  standing 
on  the  crest  enfolded  in  a  flood  of  crimson  light. 
As  he  looked,  it  faded  swiftly  into  purple — and 
then  to  grey.  He  lifted  his  sombrero  and  rode  on, 
on  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  then  turned  once 
more.  With  an  anguished  cry  she  started  for- 
ward. 

"I  cannot  go — I  cannot  leave  all  this.  I  can- 
not live  without  you  now !  Henry — Henry  West ! 
/ — have  forgotten!" 


271 


PSuzs 
BssB 


